Targeting interleukin-6 receptor in BQ323636.1 overexpressing ER+ breast cancer to reverse tamoxifen resistance
Grant Data
Project Title
Targeting interleukin-6 receptor in BQ323636.1 overexpressing ER+ breast cancer to reverse tamoxifen resistance
Principal Investigator
Dr Tsoi, Ho
(Principal Investigator (PI))
Co-Investigator(s)
Professor Khoo Ui Soon
(Co-Investigator)
Duration
24
Start Date
2019-05-01
Amount
674718
Conference Title
Targeting interleukin-6 receptor in BQ323636.1 overexpressing ER+ breast cancer to reverse tamoxifen resistance
Presentation Title
Keywords
breast, ER+, interleukin-6, overexpressing, receptor, tamoxifen
Discipline
Others - Medicine, Dentistry and Health
HKU Project Code
06171696
Grant Type
Health and Medical Research Fund - Full Grant
Funding Year
2018
Status
Completed
Objectives
We previously identified a novel splice-variant of NCOR2, BQ323636.1 (BQ), to be a robust biomarker for tamoxifen resistance and established stable BQ overexpressing estrogen receptor (ER) positive cell lines which are tamoxifen resistant. We found that BQ overexpression conferred tamoxifen resistance through modulation of the IL- 6/STAT3 axis. Thus targeting IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) will be a novel strategy to deal with BQ overexpression-mediated tamoxifen resistance in ER+ breast cancer. This project will assess the efficacy of targeting IL-6R and the use of an FDA approved humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-6R, Tocilizumab (TCZ) used mainly for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, in reversing tamoxifen resistance.