Prodigiosin/PU-H71 as a novel potential combined therapy for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): preclinical insights

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 7;10(1):14706. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71157-w.

Abstract

Prodigiosin, a secondary metabolite red pigment produced by Serratia marcescens, has an interesting apoptotic efficacy against cancer cell lines with low or no toxicity on normal cells. HSP90α is known as a crucial and multimodal target in the treatment of TNBC. Our research attempts to assess the therapeutic potential of prodigiosin/PU-H71 combination on MDA-MB-231 cell line. The transcription and protein expression levels of different signalling pathways were assessed. Treatment of TNBC cells with both drugs resulted in a decrease of the number of adherent cells with apoptotic effects. Prodigiosin/PU-H71 combination increased the levels of caspases 3,8 and 9 and decreased the levels of mTOR expression. Additionally, there was a remarkable decrease of HSP90α transcription and expression levels upon treatment with combined therapy. Also, EGFR and VEGF expression levels decreased. This is the first study to show that prodigiosin/PU-H71 combination had potent cytotoxicity on MDA-MB-231 cells; proving to play a paramount role in interfering with key signalling pathways in TNBC. Interestingly, prodigiosin might be a potential anticancer agent to increase the sensitivity of TNBC cells to apoptosis. This study provides a new basis for upcoming studies to overcome drug resistance in TNBC cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzodioxoles / pharmacology*
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Prodigiosin / pharmacology*
  • Purines / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzodioxoles
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Purines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • 9H-purine-9-propanamine, 6-amino-8-((6-iodo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)thio)-N-(1-methylethyl)-
  • ErbB Receptors
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Caspases
  • Prodigiosin