Investigation of the antineoplastic effects of cephalochromin, a potential survivin inhibitor, in breast cancer models

• Grant number: 23/14055-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: João Agostinho Machado Neto
• Grantee: Isabelle Diccini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Breast cancer is a prevalent disease that affects millions of people around the world. In Brazil, it is the most common type of cancer among women, except for non-melanoma skin cancer. Survivin, an essential protein in the oncological context, plays an important role in breast cancer. Survivin is encoded by the BIRC5 gene and consists of different variants with specific functional characteristics. It is expressed at significantly higher levels in tumor cells than in normal cells. Survivin performs multiple functions, including controlling cell proliferation, inhibiting apoptosis and angiogenesis. Increased survivin expression has been associated with more advanced stages of breast cancer, such as high-grade ductal carcinoma in situ. This protein inhibits apoptosis by interacting with caspases, enzymes involved in the activation of cell death. Furthermore, survivin interacts with other proteins to modulate the apoptotic response. Survivin may play a relevant role in tumor progression and aggressiveness of breast cancer. Therefore, it represents a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease, aiming to inhibit its activity and promote programmed cell death. Furthermore, it has been observed that cephalochromin, a compound found in Cosmospora vilior, has antitumor effects. Cephalochromin reduces survivin expression, activating caspases and inducing apoptosis in lung cancer cells. This reveals the therapeutic potential of this compound in the treatment of cancer. Survivin inhibition and promotion of apoptosis via cephalochromin may be promising strategies in the treatment of breast cancer.