BHX, a novel pyrazoline derivative, inhibits breast cancer cell invasion by reversing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and down-regulating Wnt/β-catenin signalling

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 22;7(1):9153. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09655-7.

Abstract

The novel pyrazoline derivative, BHX, has recently been shown to exhibit potent anti-tumour activity by blocking the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. However, its effect on breast cancer growth and invasion are unknown. Our results show that BHX suppresses MDA-MB-231 cell viability and colony formation in a dose-dependent manner, and induces apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest. BHX-treated breast cancer cells showed morphological characteristics of cells undergoing apoptosis. Furthermore, BHX inhibited cell migration and invasion, which was associated with increased E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression, and down-regulation of SNAIL and vimentin. In addition, BHX induced the generation of intracellular ROS and decreased β-catenin protein and mRNA expression. We used a mouse xenograft model to investigate the effects of BHX in vivo, where the growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografted tumours was suppressed in nude mice treated continuously with BHX for 21 days. Finally, the rat plasma concentration of BHX was measured by ultra-performance liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and the pharmacokinetic parameters of BHX were processed by non-compartmental analysis. In conclusion, BHX merits further study as a novel therapeutic small molecule for the treatment of breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antinematodal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antinematodal Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Pyrazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Rats
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antinematodal Agents
  • N-(4-hydroxybenzyl)-1,3,4-triphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide
  • Pyrazoles