Three-dimensional growth of breast cancer cells potentiates the anti-tumor effects of unacylated ghrelin and AZP-531

Elife. 2020 Jul 15:9:e56913. doi: 10.7554/eLife.56913.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and notwithstanding important therapeutic advances, remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Despite extensive research relating to the hormone ghrelin, responsible for the stimulation of growth hormone release and appetite, little is known of the effects of its unacylated form, especially in cancer. The present study aimed to characterize effects of unacylated ghrelin on breast cancer cells, define its mechanism of action, and explore the therapeutic potential of unacylated ghrelin or analog AZP-531. We report potent anti-tumor effects of unacylated ghrelin, dependent on cells being cultured in 3D in a biologically-relevant extracellular matrix. The mechanism of unacylated ghrelin-mediated growth inhibition involves activation of Gαi and suppression of MAPK signaling. AZP-531 also suppresses the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in xenografts, and may be a novel approach for the safe and effective treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords: 3D culture; AZP-531; breast cancer; cancer biology; human; mouse; unacylated ghrelin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acylation
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Ghrelin / chemistry
  • Ghrelin / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, SCID
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • Spheroids, Cellular / drug effects*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Ghrelin
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • cyclic des-acyl ghrelin (6-13)

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE34412