Curcumol Suppresses Triple-negative Breast Cancer Metastasis by Attenuating Anoikis Resistance via Inhibition of Skp2-mediated Transcriptional Addiction

Abstract

Background/aim: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a unique subtype that lacks expression of several conventional biomarkers and has a higher incidence of lymph node invasion and distal metastasis among all breast cancers. Anoikis resistance is the fundamental reason behind tumor cells' survival without their attachment to the extracellular matrix and metastasis to distal organs. Therefore, finding novel anti-cancer drugs that can suppress anoikis resistance in cancer cells is critical for patients with TNBC.

Materials and methods: Curcumol, a natural compound, was used to assess whether it can inhibit the anoikis resistance and affects cell mortality and motility of IV2-1 TNBC cells.

Results: Curcumol suppressed anoikis resistance and inhibited TNBC cell survival in suspension. Additionally, these anti-cancer effects induced by curcumol could be related to the YAP1/Skp2 molecular pathway.

Conclusion: Curcumol is an effective Skp2-targeted therapy that attenuates anoikis resistance and metastasis in TNBC cells.

Keywords: Skp2; Triple-negative breast cancer; anoikis; curcumol.