Epigenetic Regulation of MicroRNA Expression: Targeting the Triple- Negative Breast Cancer Phenotype

摘要

The primary long-term objective of this research is to identify HDAC inhibitor (HDACi) regulated microRNAs which regulate the epithelial-to- mesenchymal transition (EMT) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Thus far we have assessed the microRNA expression profiles of two TNBC cell lines following treatment with HDACi identifying a number of up- and down-regulated microRNAs. The overall microRNA profile after HDACi treatment was indicative of a less aggressive phenotype. Treatment with HDACi also resulted in increased expression of E-cadherin as well as decreased migration of TNBC indicating a reversal of the EMT phenotype. These results, along with our ongoing research, suggest the ability of HDACi treatment to reverse the EMT phenotype, associated with metastatic and aggressive disease, of TNBC and support future evaluation of HDACi as therapeutic options for the clinical treatment of TNBC.