Combating CHK1 resistance in triple negative breast cancer: EGFR inhibition as potential combinational therapy

Casey D Stefanski; Jenifer R Prosperi

doi:10.20517/cdr.2021.128

Combating CHK1 resistance in triple negative breast cancer: EGFR inhibition as potential combinational therapy

Cancer Drug Resist. 2022 Mar 8;5(1):229-232. doi: 10.20517/cdr.2021.128. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Casey D Stefanski¹, Jenifer R Prosperi^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46617, USA.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine - South Bend, South Bend, IN 46617, USA.

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is marked by a lack of expression of the Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Therefore, targeted therapies are being investigated based on the expression profiles of tumors. Due to the potential for acquired and intrinsic resistance, there is a need for combination therapy to overcome resistance. In the article by Lee et al., the authors identify that, while prexasertib (a CHK1 inhibitor) lacks efficacy alone, combination with an EGFR inhibitor provides synergistic anti-tumor effects. Advances in targeted therapy for TNBC will benefit the clinical landscape for this disease, with this study initiating a new avenue of investigation.

Keywords: CHK1; EGFR; TNBC; chemoresistance.