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Abstract Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, accounting for approximately 15% of all cases of invasive breast cancer globally. The absence of a well-defined cell membrane receptor has significantly limited the therapeutic options available for treating this malignancy. Consequently, there is a compelling need to explore novel receptors that could potentially revolutionize the treatment strategies employed for TNBC. Recent scientific research has unveiled SLC22A17, a cell surface receptor known for its involvement in iron transport, as a substantial contributor to the development of various cancer types. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the significance of SLC22A17 and its potential as a therapeutic target in TNBC. Experimental Procedures: In this study, we meticulously examined the expression patterns of SLC22A17 across distinct subtypes of breast cancer utilizing immunohistochemistry. Computational tools were employed to delve into the role of SLC22A17 within TNBC datasets. To assess the impact of SLC22A17 on TNBC, we employed various methods, including siRNA-mediated silencing, to investigate its role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration. Additionally, we conducted western blot analyses to assess the expression levels of SLC22A17 and cellular signaling molecules, such as Akt/mTOR and JAK/STAT, within the context of TNBC cells. Results: Our analysis revealed a significant upregulation of SLC22A17 in both TNBC tissues and cell lines, establishing a direct correlation with patient survival outcomes. Silencing the expression of SLC22A17 resulted in reduced cell proliferation, migration, EMT, increased apoptosis, and enhanced autophagy. These effects were accompanied by the inhibition of Akt/mTOR and STAT3 signaling pathways. Moreover, we observed the involvement of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, which induced the expression of SLC22A17 in TNBC cell lines and governed various hallmark features of TNBC. Notably, the suppression of SLC22A17 mitigated these processes. Conclusion: In conclusion, this investigation suggests the pivotal role played by SLC22A17 in TNBC and posits its potential as a novel and promising therapeutic target for the management of this formidable disease. Citation Format: Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara, Krishan Kumar Thakur. SLC22A17 as a promising target for triple-negative breast cancer abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts) ; 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84 (6Suppl): Abstract nr 573.
Kunnumakkara et al. (Fri,) studied this question.