Tumor-Associated Fibroblasts Promote HER2-Targeted Therapy Resistance through FGFR2 Activation

AbstractPurpose:Despite the therapeutic success of existing HER2-targeted therapies, tumors invariably relapse. This study aimed at identifying new mechanisms responsible for HER2-targeted therapy resistance.Experimental Design:We have used a platform of HER2-targeted therapy–resistant cell lines and primary cultures of healthy and tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF) to identify new potential targets related to tumor escape from anti-HER2 therapies.Results:We have shown that TAFs promote resistance to HER2-targeted therapies. TAFs produce and secrete high levels of FGF5, which induces FGFR2 activation in the surrounding breast cancer cells. FGFR2 transactivates HER2 via c-Src, leading to res…