A combination of novel NSC small molecule inhibitor along with doxorubicin inhibits proliferation of triple-negative breast cancer through metabolic reprograming

ABSTRACT: Treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been challenging due to the absence of well-defined molecular targets and high invasive and proliferative capacities of these cells. Current treatments against TNBC have shown minimal activity due to the high recurrence rate in the patients. Therefore, a pressing need for novel and efficacious therapies against TNBC. Here, we found a novel small molecule inhibitor (NSC33353) with potent anti-tumor activity against TNBC cells. Anti-proliferative effects of NSC small molecule inhibitor were determined using 2D and 3D culture cell proliferation assays. Using proteomics, NGS and enrichment analysis, we globally investigated top regulatory pathways affected by this compound in TNBC cells. Subsequently, we validated the proteomics and NGS analysis data using seahorse and enzymatic assays. Finally, we showed the inhibitor anti-tumor effects and confirmed its potential mechanism in vivo. In this report, we showed that a novel NSC33353 small molecule inhibitor reduced the proliferation of TNBC cells. Proteomic analysis confirmed a significant metabolic reprograming including suppression of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation after treatment. Furthermore, we found that treatment with NSC33353 small molecule inhibitor impaired glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation via modulating the activity of metabolic regulator enzymes. Altogether, our data indicate that NSC33353 small molecule inhibitor may exhibit anti-tumor activity in TNBC cells and provide a rationale for further investigation of the potential of NSC small molecule inhibitor as an attractive therapeutic drug for TNBC. Doxorubicin is one of the most effective agents in the treatment of TNBC and resistance to this drug is a major problem. We show that the combination of NSC33353 and doxorubicin synergistically suppressed the growth of TNBC cells suggesting the combination enhances the sensitivity to doxorubicin. Further in-depth investigations are required to evaluate the exact targets and mechanism of this potent small molecule inhibitor, and its anti-neoplasm effects on TNBC in vivo.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE207036 | GEO | 2022/12/30

REPOSITORIES: GEO