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We have previously identified an oncogenic role of artemin (ARTN), a member of glial cell derived neurotrophic factor family of ligands, in mammary carcinoma. We herein report that ARTN is an estrogen-inducible gene. Meta-analysis of gene expression data sets showed that ARTN expression is positively correlated to estrogen receptor (ER) status in human mammary carcinoma. Furthermore, in patients with ER-positive mammary carcinoma treated with tamoxifen, high ARTN expression is significantly correlated with decreased survival. Forced expression of ARTN in ER-positive human mammary carcinoma cells increased ER transcriptional activity, promoted estrogen-independent growth and produced resistance to tamoxifen and fulvestrant in vitro and to tamoxifen in xenograft models. ARTN-stimulated resistance to tamoxifen and fulvestrant is mediated by increased BCL-2 expression. Conversely, depletion of endogenous ARTN by small-interfering RNA or functional antagonism of ARTN by antibody enhanced the efficacy of antiestrogens. Tamoxifen decreased ARTN expression in tamoxifen-sensitive mammary carcinoma cells whereas ARTN expression was increased in tamoxifen-resistant cells and not affected by tamoxifen treatment. Antibody inhibition of ARTN in tamoxifen-resistant cells improved tamoxifen sensitivity. Functional antagonism of ARTN therefore warrants consideration as an adjuvant therapy to enhance antiestrogen efficacy in ER-positive mammary carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report that artemin, a member of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family of ligands, is oncogenic for human mammary carcinoma. Artemin is expressed in numerous human mammary carcinoma cell lines. Forced expression of artemin in mammary carcinoma cells results in increased anchorage-independent growth, increased colony formation in soft agar and in three-dimensional Matrigel, and also promotes a scattered cell phenotype with enhanced migration and invasion. Moreover, forced expression of artemin increases tumor size in xenograft models and leads to highly proliferative, poorly differentiated and invasive tumors. Expression data in Oncomine indicate that high artemin expression is significantly associated with residual disease after chemotherapy, metastasis, relapse and death. Artemin protein is detectable in 65% of mammary carcinoma and its expression correlates to decreased overall survival in the cohort of patients. Depletion of endogenous artemin with small interfering RNA, or antibody inhibition of artemin, decreases the oncogenicity and invasiveness of mammary carcinoma cells. Artemin is therefore oncogenic for human mammary carcinoma, and targeted therapeutic approaches to inhibit artemin function in mammary carcinoma warrant consideration.Oncogene (2009) 28, 2034–2045; doi:10.1038/onc.2009.66; published online 13 April 2009 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]