Activation of the FGFR–STAT3 Pathway in Breast Cancer Cells Induces a Hyaluronan-Rich Microenvironment That Licenses Tumor Formation

Aberrant activation of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) contributes to breast cancer growth, progression and therapeutic resistance. Due to the complex nature of the FGF/FGFR axis, and the numerous effects of FGFR activation on tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment, the specific mechanisms through which aberrant FGFR activity contributes to breast cancer are not completely understood. We show here that FGFR activation induces accumulation of hyaluronan (HA) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) and that blocking HA synthesis decreases proliferation, migration and therapeutic resistance. Furthermore, FGFR-mediated HA accumulation requires activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, which regulates expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) and subsequent HA synthesis. Using a novel in vivo model of FGFR-dependent tumor growth, we demonstrate that STAT3 inhibition decreases both FGFR-driven tumor growth and HA levels within the tumor. Finally, our results suggest that combinatorial therapies inhibiting both FGFR activity and HA synthesis is more effective than targeting either pathway alone and may be a relevant therapeutic approach for breast cancers associated with high levels of FGFR activity. In conclusion, these studies indicate a novel targetable mechanism through which FGFR activation in breast cancer cells induces a pro-tumorigenic microenvironment.