EGFR as a therapeutic target for human, canine, and mouse ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas

Cushing disease is a condition in which the pituitary gland releases excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) as a result of an adenoma arising from the ACTH-secreting cells in the anterior pituitary. ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas lead to hypercortisolemia and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Pituitary-directed medications are mostly ineffective, and new treatment options are needed. As these tumors express EGFR, we tested whether EGFR might provide a therapeutic target for Cushing disease. Here, we show that in surgically resected human and canine corticotroph cultured tumors, blocking EGFR suppressed expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the ACTH precursor. In mouse corticotroph EGFR transfectants, ACTH secretion was enhanced, and EGF increased Pomc promoter activity, an effect that was dependent on MAPK. Blocking EGFR activity with gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, attenuated Pomc expression, inhibited corticotroph tumor cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis. As predominantly nuclear EGFR expression was observed in canine and human corticotroph tumors, we preferentially targeted EGFR to mouse corticotroph cell nuclei, which resulted in higher Pomc expression and ACTH secretion, both of which were inhibited by gefitinib. In athymic nude mice, EGFR overexpression enhanced the growth of explanted ACTH-secreting tumors and further elevated serum corticosterone levels. Gefitinib treatment decreased both tumor size and corticosterone levels; it also reversed signs of hypercortisolemia, including elevated glucose levels and excess omental fat. These results indicate that inhibiting EGFR signaling may be a novel strategy for treating Cushing disease.

Pituitary tumors, accounting for approximately 15% of intracranial tumors, are invariably benign monoclonal adenomas with excessive hormone secretion and/or tumor mass effects compressing vital structures (1). Adrenocorticotropic hormone–secreting (ACTH-secreting) tumors arising from pituitary corticotroph cells exhibit substantial morbidity and cause adrenal hypercortisolemia that results in osteoporosis, infections, psychiatric disorders, muscle atrophy, fat accumulation, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and ultimately death (2). The clinical syndrome of hypercortisolemia caused by ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor is known as Cushing disease.

No drug that effectively targets ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas is currently approved (3, 4). Agents that inhibit adrenal cortisol synthesis have limited use due to side effects, moderate efficacy, and inability to target the pituitary tumor. Optimal treatment requires surgical adenoma resection, with initial remission rates achieved by experienced pituitary surgeons ranging 65%–90% for microadenomas, and less than 65% for macroadenomas (3). Postoperative recurrence rates at 10 years are 10%–20% for microadenomas and up to 45% for macroadenomas (3). Surgical cure is further challenged by the fact that preoperative pituitary tumor localization may be difficult, even using high-resolution MRI. More than 70% of ACTH-secreting tumors are less than 10 mm in size, and up to 50% of patients have no detectable tumor by MRI (5). Inferior petrosal sinus sampling of ACTH gradients, an invasive angiographic procedure, is frequently needed to confirm the presence of an ACTH-secreting pituitary tumor (6–8). Early results with the somatostatin analog pasireotide or the dopamine agonist cabergoline have shown short-term biochemical control in a minority of patients with Cushing disease (9, 10). Long-term side effects and efficacy of these medications in patients with Cushing disease are unknown, and pasireotide predisposes to hyperglycemia development (11). Clinical trials of retinoic acid in canine Cushing disease have shown promise, but have not been extended to human use (12).

EGFR activation, resulting either from mutation or from ligand or receptor overexpression, is associated with a variety of human cancers (13). EGF is a pituitary cell growth factor and also directly induces prolactin synthesis (14). Although approximately 60% of pituitary tumors — including ACTH-secreting adenomas (40%–80%) — express EGFR (15–18), the role of the receptor in tumorigenesis remains unclear. In pituitary corticotroph tumors expressing EGFR, p27^Kip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is downregulated (18). Mice with disrupted p27 also develop pituitary tumors mostly expressing proopiomelanocortin (POMC), a precursor protein of ACTH (19–22). We hypothesized that the receptor could be a novel target for therapy of Cushing disease, and therefore tested EGFR signaling in ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Gefitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting the EGFR, blocks activity at the intracellular ATP-binding site of the tyrosine kinase domain (23). Gefitinib exhibits efficacy in treating pulmonary adenocarcinoma, especially in female Asian nonsmokers with deletion mutants of exon 19 (del746_A750) or point mutations of exon 21 (L858R) (24). Gefitinib is also effective in other cancers that overexpress EGFR (either WT or mutants; refs. 25, 26). Here, we show the functional role of EGFR in human, canine, and murine corticotroph tumors and provide evidence supporting the use of EGFR TKI as a targeted therapy for Cushing disease.

Gefitinib suppresses human corticotroph adenoma POMC expression. Since human corticotroph adenomas express EGFR, we treated primary cell cultures derived from surgically resected human ACTH-secreting tumors with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours. As tumor cell POMC mRNA expression levels were dose-dependently suppressed by gefitinib (~95%, P < 0.05; Figure 1A), we reasoned that EGFR inhibition could be a target for suppressing ACTH in corticotroph adenomas.

Figure 1

Effects of gefitinib on human and canine corticotroph adenoma cell cultures. (A) After trans-sphenoidal surgical resection of human ACTH-secreting adenomas, tumor cells were dispersed, cultured, and treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours, and human POMC expression levels were measured by real-time PCR. A representative experiment is shown (normalized by GAPDH). Each bar depicts 5 control replicates and 3 for each dose (0.1–10 μM). (B–D) After trans-sphenoidal surgical resection of canine ACTH-secreting adenomas, tumor cells were dispersed, cultured, and treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours. (B) Canine POMC expression levels were measured by real-time PCR. A representative experiment is shown (normalized by RPS5). (C) ACTH levels in culture media were measured using RIA. (D) Taqman PCR was performed using a specific canine EGFR probe and normalized by canine β-ACTIN. Values are mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, ^#P < 0.01.

Effects of gefitinib on ACTH-producing canine pituitary tumor cells. These rarely encountered human adenomas are extremely small, and as minimal tissue is available for biochemical and genetic manipulation, we used canine and murine models that largely recapitulate the human disorder. As Cushing disease is frequently encountered in domestic dogs (27), we cultured cells derived from 12 canine ACTH-secreting pituitary tumors after trans-sphenoidal resection (28). We treated tumor cell cultures derived from 12 different dogs with gefitinib and extracted mRNA from 10 separate tumor cell cultures (excepting dogs 3 and 12, which did not yield sufficient mRNA). In 6 of 10 tumor cell cultures, gefitinib suppressed POMC mRNA levels (up to 70%), and in 4 of 12 tumor cell cultures, medium ACTH secretion was attenuated by the TKI by up to 60% (Figure 1, B and C). Thus, 8 of 12 tumor cell cultures were markedly affected by gefitinib. In contrast, in nontumorous primary canine pituitary cell cultures, POMC mRNA expression levels were unaltered by gefitinib (Supplemental Figure 1; available online with this article; doi: 10.1172/JCI60417DS1). To confirm canine corticotroph tumor EGFR expression, we performed Taqman PCR using canine-specific EGFR probes and showed that 6 of 8 tumors that responded to gefitinib expressed EGFR (Figure 1D); the 2 tumors that did not express EGFR were nonresponders (dogs 1 and 2), whereas EGFR expression was not able to be assessed in 2 tumors (dogs 7 and 10).

EGFR signaling induces Pomc expression and ACTH secretion via MAPK. To investigate the functional role of EGFR in tumorous corticotrophs, we generated stably transfected AtT20 cells, which do not express endogenous EGFR, using a retroviral vector containing EGFRWT cDNA, cDNA of a constitutively active form of EGFR (L858R), prevalent in lung cancer (29, 30), or empty vector (EV). The respective cells generated are referred to herein as EGFRWT cells, L858R cells, and EV cells. Western blot results showed abundant EGFR protein expression in EGFRWT cells, but not in EV cells (Figure 2A). L858R cells exhibited tyrosine autophosphorylation even without added ligand, while EGF treatment induced receptor phosphorylation in both EGFRWT and L858R transfectants (Figure 2A). MAPK and Akt pathways were activated by EGF in both EGFR transfectants, and effects of added ligand were more pronounced in EGFRWT than in L858R cells. Northern blotting showed that EGF dose-dependently enhanced Pomc expression levels in EGFRWT cells (~2-fold, P < 0.05; Figure 2B).

Figure 2

EGFR enhances Pomc mRNA expression and ACTH secretion via MAPK. (A) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV AtT20 cells were treated with 5 nM EGF for 10 minutes, and Western blotting was performed. (B) EGFRWT cells were treated with EGF (0.5–50 nM) for the indicated times, and Northern blotting was performed. (C) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were transfected with Pomc promoter and pRL-TK for 24 hours. After 6 hours of serum deprivation, cells were stimulated with EGF (0.5–50 nM) for 24 hours. (D) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were treated with 5 nM EGF for 24 hours. ACTH secretion in the culture medium was determined by RIA (normalized for cell numbers). (E) EGFRWT cells were transfected with Pomc promoter and pRL-TK for 24 hours. After 6 hours of serum deprivation, cells were treated with U0126 (0.1–10 μM) or/and S31-201 (10–50 μM) for 45 minutes prior to induction with 5 nM EGF for 24 hours. (F) EGFRWT cells were transfected with Pomc promoter deletion mutants and pRL-TK for 24 hours. After 6 hours of serum deprivation, cells were stimulated with 5 nM EGF for 24 hours. Values are mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.05 vs. respective control (untreated EGFRWT or vehicle). Representative results are from triplicate samples in at least 2 independent experiments.

Next, we tested regulation of Pomc promoter activity by EGFR. Luciferase expression driven by the Pomc promoter was induced by EGFR overexpression itself (L858R, ~2.5-fold that of EV; EGFRWT, ~1.7-fold that of EV) and was further enhanced by EGF treatment in EGFRWT transfectants (~1.5-fold, P < 0.01), but not in L858R transfectants (Figure 2C). ACTH secretion to the culture media was enhanced in L858R transfectants (~1.7-fold, P < 0.001) but not in EGFRWT transfectants, whereas EGF dose-dependently induced ACTH levels only in EGFRWT cells (~2.5-fold, P < 0.01; Figure 2D). Since the Pomc promoter is regulated by MAPK or STAT3 pathways, we used MAPK inhibitor U0126 or STAT3 inhibitor S31-201; Pomc reporter activity induced by EGF was dose-dependently inhibited by U0126, but not by S31-201 (Figure 2E), which suggests that EGF induced Pomc transcriptional activity via MAPK. To determine the Pomc promoter regulatory elements required for EGF signaling, we generated truncated Pomc mutants with the pGL4 Basic luciferase expression vector. EGF treatment in EGFRWT transfectants showed that deletion of promoter bps –323 to –200 — which include both pituitary restricted transcription factor (Tpit) and paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (Pitx1) responsive elements (RE) — abrogated EGF induction of Pomc (Figure 2F).

Gefitinib suppresses Pomc expression and ACTH secretion in murine corticotroph tumor cells. Next, we tested effects of blocking EGFR activity on hormone expression and secretion in AtT20 transfectants. First, we confirmed the blocking effects of gefitinib on EGFR downstream signaling in murine corticotroph tumor cells. Western blotting analysis showed that gefitinib dose-dependently suppressed EGF-induced phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, and Akt in EGFRWT and L858R transfectants, but not in EV transfectants (Figure 3A). RIA and luciferase assay results showed that gefitinib attenuated Pomc promoter activity (EGFRWT, ~63%, P < 0.001; L858R, ~58%, P < 0.01) and ACTH secretion (EGFRWT, ~60%, P < 0.01; L858R, ~60%, P < 0.01), while the highest gefitinib dose tested (10 μM) suppressed Pomc promoter activity even in control cells (~23%, P < 0.01; Figure 3, B and C).

Figure 3

Gefitinib suppresses Pomc promoter activity and ACTH secretion. (A) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 45 minutes prior to induction with 5 nM EGF for 10 minutes, and Western blotting was performed. (B) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were transfected with Pomc promoter and RSV–β-gal for 24 hours. After 6 hours of serum deprivation, cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours. (C) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours, and ACTH secretion was determined by RIA (normalized for cell numbers). Values are mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001. Representative results are from triplicate samples in at least 2 independent experiments.

Gefitinib induces apoptosis and suppresses murine corticotroph tumor cell proliferation. We tested effects of gefitinib on murine corticotroph adenoma cell proliferation. Gefitinib decreased the number of EGFRWT (~65%, P < 0.01) and L858R (~40%, P < 0.01) cells, but not EV cells (Figure 4A). Gefitinib also dose-dependently reduced formation of colonies by these transfectants in soft agar (~60%, P < 0.01; Figure 4B). Furthermore, TUNEL staining showed that inhibition of EGFR kinase also induced apoptosis, while Western blot results showed elevated p53 and cleaved caspase3 levels (Figure 4, C and D). Results of BrdU incorporation measurements showed that 1 μM gefitinib treatment reduced DNA synthesis in EGFR transfectants (EGFRWT, ~10%, P < 0.05; L858R, ~40%, P < 0.01; Figure 4E). Sensitivity to the drug was higher in mutants expressing L858R. Higher doses of drug (10 μM) reduced BrdU incorporation, even in EV transfectants (EV, ~58%, P < 0.01; EGFRWT, ~50%, P < 0.01; L858R, ~70%, P < 0.01; Figure 4E), while cell number was not altered with the high dose in EV cells (Figure 4A).

Figure 4

Effects of gefitinib on corticotroph adenoma cell proliferation. (A) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours, and cells were counted. (B) EGFRWT cells were seeded (4,000 cells/well) for colony-forming assay, and gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) was added with serum-depleted media every third day. Colonies were counted from 5 randomly selected fields. (C) EGFRWT cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 48 hours, and TUNEL staining was performed. Original magnification, ×20. Apoptotic cells were counted from 5 randomly selected fields (normalized by DAPI-stained cell number). (D) EGFRWT cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 48 hours, and Western blotting was performed. (E) EGFRWT, L858R, or EV cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours, BrdU staining was performed, and incorporation was quantified using flow cytometry. (F) EGFRWT cells were treated with gefitinib (0.1–10 μM) for 24 hours with or without EGF (5 nM), and Western blotting was performed. Values are mean ± SEM. ^#P < 0.01, ^##P < 0.01 vs. untreated control; ^§P < 0.001 vs. vehicle control; **P < 0.01 vs. EV control; ^†P < 0.05, ^††P < 0.01 vs. EGFRWT control; ^‡P < 0.05, ^‡‡P < 0.01 vs. L858R control. Representative results are from triplicate samples in at least 2 independent experiments.

We then analyzed effects of gefitinib on intracellular signaling molecules. Western blot results showed that gefitinib enhanced p27 expression (~1.4-fold, P < 0.05) and attenuated levels of retinoblastoma protein (phospho-Rb) (Ser780), E2F1, and pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG) (~44%, P < 0.05; ~50%, P < 0.05; and ~18%, P < 0.05, respectively; Figure 4F).

Nuclear EGFR function in corticotroph tumors. To further characterize EGFR expression in human and canine ACTH-producing pituitary tumors, we showed evidence for strong immunoreactive corticotroph tumor nuclear EGFR localization in both species. In contrast, both membranous and nuclear EGFR were detected in breast cancer specimens (positive control), while no EGFR staining was evident in testis (negative control) (Figure 5A). To elucidate the function of corticotroph tumor nuclear EGFR, we transiently transfected a nuclear-expressing EGFR construct, pCMV/EGFR-ICD/myc/nuc (referred to herein as ICD), and showed nuclear EGFR localization; in contrast, control pCMV/EGFR/myc/nuc transfectants were located mainly on AtT20 membranes and in the cytoplasm (Figure 5B). ICD overexpression in AtT20 cells induced ACTH secretion (~1.5-fold, P < 0.05) and Pomc mRNA expression (~1.5-fold, P < 0.01) that was not altered by WT EGFR overexpression (Figure 5, C and D). Thus, membrane EGFR overexpression appears to require ligand-dependent activation to induce ACTH secretion (Figure 2D). Next, we tested gefitinib action on nuclear EGFR signaling and showed suppressed Pomc expression in ICD-overexpressing AtT20 transfectants (~50%, P <0.05; Figure 5E).

Figure 5

Nuclear EGFR localization in corticotroph adenomas. (A) Confocal immunocytochemistry for EGFR was performed in human and canine corticotroph tumors. Human breast cancer tissue was used as a positive control, and human testis as negative control, for EGFR expression. Original magnification, ×100. (B–E) AtT20 cells were transiently transfected with EGFR (pCMV/EGFR/myc/nuc), ICD (pCMV/EGFR-ICD/myc/nuc), or EV (pCMV/myc/nuc) for 24 hours. (B) Immunofluorescent chemistry was performed with anti-EGFR. Original magnification, ×100. (C) Media were changed to serum-depleted media and collected 24 hours later. ACTH levels in culture media were measured using RIA (normalized for cell numbers). (D) RNA was extracted, and mouse Pomc expression levels were measured by real-time PCR. A representative experiment is shown (normalized by Gapdh). (E) After gefitinib treatment for 24 hours, RNA was extracted, and mouse Pomc expression levels were measured by real-time PCR. A representative experiment is shown (normalized by Gapdh). Values are mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, vs. EV. Representative results are from triplicate samples in at least 2 independent experiments.

In vivo effects of gefitinib on EGFR-overexpressing AtT20 allografts. To evaluate effects of gefitinib in vivo, EGFRWT or EV transfectants were inoculated s.c. into 7-week-old female nude mice (NU/J) randomized to receive either oral gefitinib (100 mg/kg/d) or vehicle. Drug treatment was started 3 days after cell inoculation (1 × 10⁶ cells/mouse). As shown in Figure 6, A and B, the EGFR-expressing tumors thus generated were larger than controls (~3-fold, P < 0.01), and this tumor growth was inhibited by gefitinib treatment (~40%, P < 0.01). Elevated serum corticosterone levels in the EGFR group (432 ± 52 ng/ml vs. 186 ± 12 ng/ml; P < 0.01) were also attenuated by oral gefitinib (~35%, P < 0.05; Figure 6C). Mice injected with EGFR transfectants showed features of hypercortisolemia, including central fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, and weight gain, all of which were attenuated by oral gefitinib treatment (Figure 6, D–F). Notably, in mice injected with control AtT20 cells devoid of the EGFR, serum corticosterone, fat accumulation, glucose levels, and body weight were not altered by oral gefitinib treatment.

Figure 6

Gefitinib attenuates EGFR tumor growth and hormone secretion in vivo. EGFRWT (1 × 10⁶ cells/mouse, 0.1 ml with matrigel) or EV transfectants were injected s.c. in 7-week-old nude mice. 3 days after inoculation, mice with EGFR or control tumors received either vehicle (0.5% methylcellose and 0.5% tween80/PBS) or gefitinib (100 mg/kg) for 10 days. (A) On the indicated days after treatment, tumor volume was measured by caliper and calculated as in Methods. (B) After euthanasia, tumors were excised and weighed. (C) Serum corticosterone levels were measured by RIA. (D) Omental fat was more prominent in EGFR-injected than control mice. Murine body weight (E) and plasma glucose levels (F) were measured after euthanasia. Values are mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.

Targeted medical therapy for ACTH-producing pituitary adenomas is one of the most important current challenges for treating patients harboring endocrine tumors. Here, we explored the role of EGFR in pituitary corticotroph tumors. In human Cushing tumors, gefitinib suppressed POMC expression by approximately 95%, and these drug effects were confirmed using canine corticotroph adenoma cells. Canine pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) largely recapitulates Cushing disease in humans and is commonly encountered. Clinical signs are mostly similar to the human disease, including central obesity, ravenous appetite, polyuria, polydipsia, thin skin, distinctive “potbelly” appearance, and loss of hair (31). In the present study, inhibition of EGFR kinase activity in canine tumor cell cultures suppressed 80% of POMC expression and 75% of ACTH secretion. However, the observed normalization of in vitro ACTH secretion — to pretreatment levels — was not necessarily accurate, as cell disruption may release secreted granules resulting in higher medium ACTH measurements. Real-time PCR results, a more sensitive measure of POMC mRNA, were similarly suppressed by gefitinib. Tumor cells derived from dogs 1 and 2 did not respond to gefitinib and did not express EGFR, which suggests that hormone-suppressive effects of gefitinib in canine tumors are mediated by EGFR. Dog 11 showed the highest levels of EGFR expression, and the suppressive effect on POMC gene levels appeared strong. However, ACTH was not attenuated in the culture, possibly suggestive of cell disruption (29).

Pomc expression and ACTH secretion were clearly induced by EGF in an EGFR-dependent manner, and the Pomc promoter was also activated by EGFR signaling. Differentiated Pomc promoter activity is regulated by complex mechanisms subserved by several transcriptional factors, including nuclear receptor subfamily 4 (Nur), STAT3, neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1), Tpit, Pitx1, NF-κB, cAMP response element–binding protein (CREB), and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) (32–37). We elucidated the mechanisms underlying EGF induction of Pomc promoter activity and showed the MAPK dependence of EGFR signaling, which also required a –323 to –200 bp element that is proximal to the Pomc initiation site (downstream of MAPK) and includes tissue-specific Tpit/Pitx sites (38).

Gefitinib suppressed Pomc promoter activity and ACTH secretion in an EGFR-dependent manner. Gefitinib also induced apoptosis and inhibited AtT20 transfectant proliferation. Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of gefitinib have previously been shown in cells of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), breast cancer, and prostate cancer (30, 39, 40). In NSCLC, a somatic mutation of EGFR, L858R, renders tumors particularly sensitivity to gefitinib (29). In the present study, antiproliferative and antiapoptotic effects of gefitinib were more marked in L858R than in WT transfectants. On the other hand, hormone suppression by gefitinib in WT and L858R cells was not different. Although EGFR mutations have not been detected in human Cushing tumors (18), further investigation is required to rigorously exclude putative mutations in these very rare and small tumors. The effects of gefitinib on cell cycle proteins and on apoptosis appeared to be weak. Nevertheless, cell number and BrdU incorporation were both attenuated by up to 60%, reflecting the drug effects on tumor cell proliferation. More interestingly, gefitinib treatment apparently induced p27^kip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that is downregulated in most Cushing tumors (41, 42). Interestingly, mice lacking p27 developed Pomc-expressing murine pituitary tumors (19), and p27 germline mutations are associated with human corticotroph adenomas (43), suggestive of a key role for p27 depletion in corticotroph cell tumorigenesis. Roscovitine, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, has also been shown as a possible target for experimental corticotroph tumors in zebrafish and in murine allografts (44). Taken together, our results support the notion that blocking EGFR signaling could attenuate corticotroph adenoma growth and ACTH secretion.

Gefitinib effectively suppressed ACTH secretion and inhibited tumor growth in EGFR-expressing tumors in vivo, in support of the in vitro results. In mice inoculated with WT transfectants, attenuating effects of gefitinib on phenotypic features of hypercortisolism were paralleled by reductions in serum corticosterone levels, which indicates that gefitinib’s effects are mediated by tumoral hormone suppression. Although EGFR has previously been shown to regulate adrenal steroidogenesis (45), we showed here that serum corticosterone levels were attenuated by gefitinib only in animals with EGFR-expressing pituitary tumors, which suggests that gefitinib’s effect was primarily mediated by corticotroph tumor EGFR signal regulation.

Using immunofluorescence, we detected nuclear EGFR expression in both canine and human Cushing tumors. Nuclear EGFR localization has previously been reported in breast, ovarian, and thyroid cancers (46–48), likely as a result of ligand-dependent EGFR nuclear translocation (49). Nuclear EGFR may act as a transcription factor (50) and directly induce proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) phosphorylation (51). Nuclear EGFR also confers drug resistance to cetuximab, a monoclonal EGFR antibody (52). Our results showed that nuclear EGFR selectively induced Pomc expression and ACTH secretion in AtT20 cells. Since both human and canine ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas expressed nuclear EGFR, it will be important to understand its function, even though the effect on POMC expression was modest. More importantly, gefitinib suppressed ACTH secretion in nuclear EGFR–expressing corticotroph tumor cells. This is especially relevant for future application of the drug as a therapy for patients with Cushing disease, as these tumors express nuclear EGFR. We previously showed the efficacy of TKIs for prolactinomas, which also express nuclear EGFR (15).

The results show that EGFR signaling induced Pomc mRNA expression and ACTH secretion in corticotroph tumors. Blocking receptor tyrosine activity with gefitinib suppressed ACTH secretion and corticotroph growth both in vitro and in vivo. As gefitinib attenuated nuclear EGFR induction of Pomc expression, either membranous or nuclear EGFR could be a molecular target for treating patients with Cushing disease. Validating the clinical impact of gefitinib on canine and human Cushing tumors requires appropriately controlled clinical trials.

View Supplemental data

We thank Jun Mizutani for technical assistance, James Mirocha at the Cedars Sinai Biostatistics Core, Patricia Lin at the Flow Cytometry Core, Kolja Wawrowsky at the Imaging Core, S.I. Bannykh for provision of human slides, and Yukiko Tone, Masahide Tone, and Mark I. Greene for helpful discussions. This work was supported by NIH grants CA07597 (to S. Melmed) and K23DK085148-01 (to O. Cooper) and by the Doris Factor Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory.

Address correspondence to: Shlomo Melmed, Academic Affairs, Room 2015, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90048, USA. Phone: 310.423.4691; Fax: 310.423.0119; E-mail: Melmed@csmc.edu.

Conflict of interest: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Reference information: J Clin Invest. 2011;121(12):4712–4721. doi:10.1172/JCI60417.

See the related article at A new medical therapy for Cushing disease?.

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