The anti-cancer potential of crotoxin in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: Its effects and mechanism of action

Autor(es)

Almeida, Cristina Ferreira ^[1] ; Amaral, Cristina ^[1] ; Augusto, V, Tiago ; Correia-da-Silva, Georgina ^[2] ; de Andrade, Camila Marques ^[3] ; Torqueti, Maria Regina ^[3] ; Teixeira, Natercia ^[2]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Porto, Fac Pharm, Dept Biol Sci, UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Lab Biochem, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, P-4050313 Porto - Portugal

^[2] Augusto, Tiago, V, Univ Porto, Fac Pharm, Dept Biol Sci, UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Lab Biochem, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, P-4050313 Porto - Portugal

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Pharmaceut Sci Ribeirao Preto, Dept Clin Anal Toxicol & Food Sci, Lab Clin Cytol, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Toxicon; v. 200, p. 69-77, SEP 2021.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer is the most diagnosed subtype of breast cancer. Currently, ammatase inhibitors (AIs) are used as first-line treatment option in this type of tumors, however they cause several side effects, which is why new therapeutic approaches are demanding. The South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus produces a venom enriched in several bioactive substances, like phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)). One of those is cmtoxin, a beta-neurotoxin, that has already been reported for its anti-cancer properties in different cancers. Recently, its clinical interest has emerged and, in fact, a clinical trial in patients with advanced cancer is underway. Considering this, in this work, we studied the biological mechanisms behind the anti-cancer effects of crotoxin B (CTX) in an ER+ aromatase-overexpressing breast cancer cell line (MCF-7aro cells). Results revealed that CTX impairs MCF-7aro cells growth, through a cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M phase, inhibition of ERK1/2 pathway and by apoptosis through activation of caspase-8. In addition, it can be considered a safe natural compound as did not affect non-cancerous cells and only showed anti-growth effects in breast cancer cells. Therefore, this study represents an important landmark to better understand the effects and mechanisms of action of crotoxin in ER+ breast cancer. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/25532-6 - Avaliação da ação antitumoral da crotoxina no câncer de mama: apoptose, autofagia e estresse oxidativo
• Beneficiário: Maria Regina Torqueti
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular