Work

Sertaconazole, an Imidazole Antifungal Agent, Suppresses the Stemness of Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting Stat3 Signaling

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Aim: Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are a subpopulation of tumor cells that play a role in therapeutic resistance. In this study, we demonstrated that sertaconazole, an antifungal agent, displayed a potent inhibition on cancer stem cells (CSCs) and investigated the mechanism of action involved in its anti-BCSC effect. Materials and Methods: The effect of sertaconazole on BCSCs was investigated using a mammosphere formation assay, a colony formation assay, and a cell migration assay. In addition, CD44high/CD24low and ALDEFLOR analyses, an apoptosis assay, quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and a cytokine profiling assay were performed. Results: Sertaconazole inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration, mammosphere formation, and mammosphere proliferation. It also induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. It decreased the subpopulation of CD44high/CD24low and aldehyde dehydrogenase-expressing cells. It also reduced the DNA binding of Stat3 and nuclear protein expression levels of phosphorylated Stat3. Furthermore, it reduced the IL-8 mRNA levels of the mammosphere. Conclusion: Sertaconazole can inhibit the Stat3 and IL-8 signaling pathways and induce CSC death. Thus, sertaconazole might be a potential inhibitor of BCSCs.

Source: In Vivo

DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13817

Authors: SU-LIM KIM, WON-KYUNG HONG, HACK SUN CHOI, DONG-SUN LEE

Institutions: Jeju National University, Dongguk University, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Yonsei University, Yonsei University Health System

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Cells and Metastasis

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: National Research Foundation, National Research Foundation of Korea