MET is a receptor tyrosine kinase known to drive neoplastic transformation and aggressive tumor phenotypes. Crizotinib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of MET, ALK, RON, and ROS1 kinases. In this study, the anticancer effects of crizotinib on breast cancer cells were investigated in vitro along with the molecular mechanisms associated with these effects. Besides, the antiproliferative effects of crizotinib in combination with chemotherapy, hormonal drugs, and targeted agents were examined. Results showed that crizotinib produced dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in BT-474 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells with IC50 values of 1.7 μM and 5.2 μM, respectively. Crizotinib inhibited colony formation of BT-474 cells at low micromolar concentrations (1-5 μM). Immunofluorescence and Western blotting indicated that crizotinib reduced total levels of MET and estrogen receptor (ERα) in BT-474 cells. Also, crizotinib reduced the levels of phosphorylated (active) MET and HER2 in BT-474 cells. The combined treatment of crizotinib with doxorubicin and paclitaxel resulted in synergistic growth inhibition of BT-474 cells with combination index values of 0.46 and 0.35, respectively. Synergy was also observed with the combination of crizotinib with the hormonal drugs 4-hydroxytamoxifen and fulvestrant in BT-474 cells. Alternatively, the combination of crizotinib with lapatinib produced antagonistic antiproliferative effects in both BT-474 and SK-BR-3 cells. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the anticancer effects of crizotinib in breast cancer cells and reveal ERα as a potential therapeutic target of the drug apart from its classical kinase inhibitory activity. Crizotinib could be an appealing option in combination with chemotherapy or hormonal drugs for the management of breast cancer.
Keywords: Breast cancer; Crizotinib; Estrogen receptor; HER2; MET; Synergism.