MYC-Driven Therapy Resistance in TNBC

Resistance to therapy is one of the major challenges facing the management of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). In the past decade, Immunotherapy using PD-L1 inhibitors has become an integral component of the treatment strategy for many carcinomas. However, treatment with anti-PD-1 or PD-L1 showed modest efficacy in only a subset of TNBC patients. Thus, it’s crucial to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms that limit response and promote resistance in TNBC patients.

Previous studies identified MYC as an essential molecule contributing to therapy resistance, including immunotherapy resistance. However, the tumorigenic effects and the associated molecular mechanisms underlying MYC suppression remain poorly understood. While MYC suppression can inhibit cell proliferation and promote immune cell infiltration, it can also prevent cell apoptosis and induce resistance to therapies; thus, targeting MYC might be a double-edged sword. It’s crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms of MYC-induced resistance and to develop novel approaches to counteract these effects. In this study, we will investigate the effects of MYC TNBC therapy resistance. Additionally, we will investigate the effects of promising agents that can sensitize cancer cells to therapy by modulating MYC, and PD-L1 expression.