Spironolactone inhibits the growth of cancer stem cells by impairing DNA damage response

Oncogene. 2019 Apr;38(17):3103-3118. doi: 10.1038/s41388-018-0654-9. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Abstract

The cancer stem cell (CSC) model suggests that a subpopulation of cells within the tumor, the CSCs, is responsible for cancer relapse and metastasis formation. CSCs hold unique characteristics, such as self-renewal, differentiation abilities, and resistance to chemotherapy, raising the need for discovering drugs that target CSCs. Previously we have found that the antihypertensive drug spironolactone impairs DNA damage response in cancer cells. Here we show that spironolactone, apart from inhibiting cancerous cell growth, is also highly toxic to CSCs. Notably, we demonstrate that CSCs have high basal levels of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mechanistically, we reveal that spironolactone does not damage the DNA but impairs DSB repair and induces apoptosis in cancer cells and CSCs while sparing healthy cells. In vivo, spironolactone treatment reduced the size and CSC content of tumors. Overall, we suggest spironolactone as an anticancer reagent, toxic to both cancer cells and, particularly to, CSCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • DNA Repair / drug effects*
  • Drug Repositioning
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Spironolactone / administration & dosage*
  • Spironolactone / pharmacology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Spironolactone