Mucin 1 (MUC1) is a heterodimeric protein formed by two subunits that is aberrantly overexpressed in human breast cancer and other cancers. Historically, much of the early work on MUC1 focused on the shed mucin subunit. However, more recent studies have been directed at the transmembrane MUC1-C-terminal subunit (MUC1-C) that functions as an oncoprotein. MUC1-C interacts with EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), ErbB2 and other receptor tyrosine kinases at the cell membrane and contributes to activation of the PI3K→AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)→extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. MUC1-C also localizes to the nucleus where it activates the Wnt/β-catenin, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) and NF (nuclear factor)-κB RelA pathways. These findings and the demonstration that MUC1-C is a druggable target have provided the experimental basis for designing agents that block MUC1-C function. Notably, inhibitors of the MUC1-C subunit have been developed that directly block its oncogenic function and induce death of breast cancer cells in vitro and in xenograft models. On the basis of these findings, a first-in-class MUC1-C inhibitor has entered phase I evaluation as a potential agent for the treatment of patients with breast cancers who express this oncoprotein.

The immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1 and the transmembrane mucin MUC1 are upregulated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), where they contribute to its aggressive pathogenesis. Here, we report that genetic or pharmacological targeting of the oncogenic MUC1 subunit MUC1-C is sufficient to suppress PD-L1 expression in TNBC cells. Mechanistic investigations showed that MUC1-C acted to elevate PD-L1 transcription by recruitment of MYC and NF-κB p65 to the PD-L1 promoter. In an immunocompetent model of TNBC in which Eo771/MUC1-C cells were engrafted into MUC1 transgenic mice, we showed that targeting MUC1-C associated with PD-L1 suppression, increases in tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells and tumor cell killing. MUC1 expression in TNBCs also correlated inversely with CD8, CD69, and GZMB, and downregulation of these markers associated with decreased survival. Taken together, our findings show how MUC1 contributes to immune escape in TNBC, and they offer a rationale to target MUC1-C as a novel immunotherapeutic approach for TNBC treatment. Significance: These findings show how upregulation of the transmembrane mucin MUC1 contributes to immune escape in an aggressive form of breast cancer, with potential implications for a novel immunotherapeutic approach. Cancer Res; 78(1); 205–15. ©2017 AACR.

The DF3/MUC1 mucin-like glycoprotein is highly overexpressed in human carcinomas. Recent studies have demonstrated that the cytoplasmic domain of MUC1 interacts with β-catenin. Here we show that MUC1 associates with glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). GSK3β binds directly to an STDRSPYE site in MUC1 and phosphorylates the serine adjacent to proline. Phosphorylation of MUC1 by GSK3β decreases binding of MUC1 to β-catenin in vitro and in vivo. GSK3β-mediated phosphorylation of MUC1 had no apparent effect on β-catenin levels or the transcriptional coactivation function of β-catenin. The results, however, demonstrate that MUC1 expression decreases binding of β-catenin to the E-cadherin cell adhesion molecule. Negative regulation of the β-catenin–MUC1 interaction by GSK3β is associated with restoration of the complex between β-catenin and E-cadherin. These findings indicate that GSK3β decreases the interaction of MUC1 with β-catenin and that overexpression of MUC1 in the absence of GSK3β activity inhibits formation of the E-cadherin–β-catenin complex.

Purpose: Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that are uniquely capable of inducing tumor-specific immune responses. We have conducted a Phase I trial in which patients with metastatic breast and renal cancer were treated with a vaccine prepared by fusing autologous tumor and DCs.