Enrique Javier Arenas

Dr. Enrique Javier Arenas

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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22 January 2018 in Nature Cell Biology
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SGSylwia Gawrzak
Sylwia Gawrzak
LRLorenzo Rinaldi
Lorenzo Rinaldi
SGSara Gregorio
Sara Gregorio
Enrique Javier ArenasEnrique Javier Arenas
Enrique Javier Arenas
FSFernando Salvador
Fernando Salvador
RGRoger R. Gomis
Roger R. Gomis

5 April 2016 in Nature Communications
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Journal Article
Open access
FSFelipe Slebe
Felipe Slebe
FRFederico Rojo
Federico Rojo
MVMaria Vinaixa
Maria Vinaixa
MGMar García-Rocha
Mar García-Rocha
GTGiorgia Testoni
Giorgia Testoni
RGRoger R. Gomis
Roger R. Gomis
The mechanisms that allow breast cancer (BCa) cells to metabolically sustain rapid growth are poorly understood. Here we report that BCa cells are dependent on a mechanism to supply precursors for intracellular lipid production derived from extracellular sources and that the endothelial lipase (LIPG) fulfils this function. LIPG expression allows the import of lipid precursors, thereby contributing to BCa proliferation. LIPG stands out as an essential component of the lipid metabolic adaptations that BCa cells, and not normal tissue, must undergo to support high proliferation rates. LIPG is ubiquitously and highly expressed under the control of FoxA1 or FoxA2 in all BCa subtypes. The downregulation of either LIPG or FoxA in transformed cells results in decreased proliferation and impaired synthesis of intracellular lipids.

27 May 2014 in EMBO Molecular Medicine
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MMMònica Morales
Mònica Morales
Enrique Javier ArenasEnrique Javier Arenas
Enrique Javier Arenas
JUJelena Urosevic
Jelena Urosevic
MGMarc Guiu
Marc Guiu
EFEsther Fernández
Esther Fernández
RGRoger R Gomis
Roger R Gomis
In estrogen receptor‐negative breast cancer patients, metastatic relapse usually occurs in the lung and is responsible for the fatal outcome of the disease. Thus, a better understanding of the biology of metastasis is needed. In particular, biomarkers to identify patients that are at risk of lung metastasis could open the avenue for new therapeutic opportunities. Here we characterize the biological activity of RARRES3 , a new metastasis suppressor gene whose reduced expression in the primary breast tumors identifies a subgroup of patients more likely to develop lung metastasis. We show that RARRES3 downregulation engages metastasis‐initiating capabilities by facilitating adhesion of the tumor cells to the lung parenchyma. In addition, impaired tumor cell differentiation due to the loss of RARRES3 phospholipase A1/A2 activity also contributes to lung metastasis. Our results establish RARRES3 downregulation as a potential biomarker to identify patients at high risk of lung metastasis who might benefit from a differentiation treatment in the adjuvant programme.

18 November 2021 in Nature Communications
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ASAlison E. Smith
Alison E. Smith
EFEmanuela Ferraro
Emanuela Ferraro
ASAnton Safonov
Anton Safonov
CMCristina Bernado Morales
Cristina Bernado Morales
Enrique Javier ArenasEnrique Javier Arenas
Enrique Javier Arenas
SCSarat Chandarlapaty
Sarat Chandarlapaty
Inhibition of HER2 in HER2-amplified breast cancer has been remarkably successful clinically, as demonstrated by the efficacy of HER-kinase inhibitors and HER2-antibody treatments. Whilst resistance to HER2 inhibition is common in the metastatic setting, the specific programs downstream of HER2 driving resistance are not established. Through genomic profiling of 733 HER2-amplified breast cancers, we identify enrichment of somatic alterations that promote MEK/ERK signaling in metastatic tumors with shortened progression-free survival on anti-HER2 therapy. These mutations, including NF1 loss and ERBB2 activating mutations, are sufficient to mediate resistance to FDA-approved HER2 kinase inhibitors including tucatinib and neratinib. Moreover, resistant tumors lose AKT dependence while undergoing a dramatic sensitization to MEK/ERK inhibition. Mechanistically, this driver pathway switch is a result of MEK-dependent activation of CDK2 kinase. These results establish genetic activation of MAPK as a recurrent mechanism of anti-HER2 therapy resistance that may be effectively combated with MEK/ERK inhibitors.

3 October 2018 in Science Translational Medicine
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IRIrene Rius Ruiz
Irene Rius Ruiz
RVRocio Vicario
Rocio Vicario
BMBeatriz Morancho
Beatriz Morancho
CMCristina Bernadó Morales
Cristina Bernadó Morales
Enrique Javier ArenasEnrique Javier Arenas
Enrique Javier Arenas
Joaquín ArribasJoaquín Arribas
Joaquín Arribas
T cell bispecific antibodies against an isoform of HER2 effectively target many HER2-expressing tumors but not normal tissues.

20 May 2022 in Science Advances
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AAAnna Adam-Artigues
Anna Adam-Artigues
Enrique Javier ArenasEnrique Javier Arenas
Enrique Javier Arenas
AMAlex Martínez-Sabadell
Alex Martínez-Sabadell
FBFara Brasó-Maristany
Fara Brasó-Maristany
RCRaimundo Cervera
Raimundo Cervera
JCJuan M Cejalvo
Juan M Cejalvo
Anti-HER2 therapies have markedly improved prognosis of HER2-positive breast cancer. However, different mechanisms play a role in treatment resistance. Here, we identified AXL overexpression as an essential mechanism of trastuzumab resistance. AXL orchestrates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and heterodimerizes with HER2, leading to activation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways in a ligand-independent manner. Genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of AXL restored trastuzumab response in vitro and in vivo. AXL inhibitor plus trastuzumab achieved complete regression in trastuzumab-resistant patient-derived xenograft models. Moreover, AXL expression in HER2-positive primary tumors was able to predict prognosis. Data from the PAMELA trial showed a change in AXL expression during neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade, supporting its role in resistance. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of targeting AXL in combination with anti-HER2 drugs across HER2-amplified breast cancer patients with high AXL expression. Furthermore, it unveils the potential value of AXL as a druggable prognostic biomarker in HER2-positive breast cancer.