Aspirin and atenolol enhance metformin activity against breast cancer by targeting both neoplastic and microenvironment cells

Sci Rep. 2016 Jan 5:6:18673. doi: 10.1038/srep18673.

Abstract

Metformin can induce breast cancer (BC) cell apoptosis and reduce BC local and metastatic growth in preclinical models. Since Metformin is frequently used along with Aspirin or beta-blockers, we investigated the effect of Metformin, Aspirin and the beta-blocker Atenolol in several BC models. In vitro, Aspirin synergized with Metformin in inducing apoptosis of triple negative and endocrine-sensitive BC cells, and in activating AMPK in BC and in white adipose tissue (WAT) progenitors known to cooperate to BC progression. Both Aspirin and Atenolol added to the inhibitory effect of Metformin against complex I of the respiratory chain. In both immune-deficient and immune-competent preclinical models, Atenolol increased Metformin activity against angiogenesis, local and metastatic growth of HER2+ and triple negative BC. Aspirin increased the activity of Metformin only in immune-competent HER2+ BC models. Both Aspirin and Atenolol, when added to Metformin, significantly reduced the endothelial cell component of tumor vessels, whereas pericytes were reduced by the addition of Atenolol but not by the addition of Aspirin. Our data indicate that the addition of Aspirin or of Atenolol to Metformin might be beneficial for BC control, and that this activity is likely due to effects on both BC and microenvironment cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue, White / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue, White / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Atenolol / pharmacology*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Synergism
  • Electron Transport Complex I / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metformin / pharmacology*
  • NAD / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Burden / drug effects
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • NAD
  • Atenolol
  • Metformin
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Electron Transport Complex I
  • Aspirin