Evaluation of the cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic potential of xylooligosaccharides in triple-negative breast cancer cells

• Grant number: 24/07826-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Márcia Regina Cominetti
• Grantee: Franciele Evangelista Apolinário
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer, a global concern, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells, often driven by genetic mutations. Breast cancer, notably triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), represents a significant therapeutic challenge due to its aggressiveness and lack of specific estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). In this context, searching for less harmful and more sustainable anticancer agents leads to exploring natural compounds, such as xylooligosaccharides (XOS), molecules derived from xylose commonly found in sugarcane bagasse. In addition to their use in the food industry, XOS has beneficial properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This substance shows promising potential in the oncological field, especially in TNBC treatment, but no studies evaluate the effects of XOS on this type of cancer. Therefore, this project aims to investigate the effects of XOS on triple-negative breast cancer cells of the MDA-MB-231 lineage, assessing their impact on cell viability, cell cycle, and migratory capacity. It is expected that the results will contribute to understanding the interactions between XOS and TNBC cells, providing the basis for developing more effective therapeutic strategies with fewer side effects. Furthermore, Brazil is among the main global producers of sugarcane, and the use of sugarcane bagasse for XOS extraction stands out as a remarkably sustainable practice in manufacturing therapeutic agents.