AKT-aro and HER2-aro, models for de novo resistance to aromatase inhibitors; molecular characterization and inhibitor response studies

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are currently the first line therapy for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive postmenopausal women. De novo AI resistance is when a patient intrinsically does not respond to an AI therapy as well as other targeted endocrine therapy. To characterize this type of resistance and to examine potential therapies for treatment, we have generated two cell models for de novo resistance. These models derive from MCF-7 cells that stably overexpress aromatase and Akt (AKT-aro) or HER2 (HER2-aro). Evaluation of these cell lines revealed that the activities of aromatase and ER were inhibited by AI and ICI 187280 (ICI) treatment, respectively; however, cell growth was resistant to therapy. Proliferation in the presence of the pure anti-estrogen ICI, indicates that these cells do not require ER for cell growth and distinguishes these cells from the acquired AI resistant cells. We further determined that the HSP90 inhibitor 17-DMAG suppressed the growth of the AI-resistant cell lines studied. Our analysis revealed 17-DMAG-mediated decreased expression of growth promoting signaling proteins. It was found that de novo AI resistant AKT-aro and HER2-aro cells could not be resensitized to letrozole or ICI by treatment with 17-DMAG. In summary, we have generated two cell lines which display the characteristics of de novo AI resistance. Together, these data indicate the possibility that HSP90 inhibitors may be a viable therapy for endocrine therapy resistance although additional clinical evaluation is needed.