Phloroglucinol suppresses metastatic ability of breast cancer cells by inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal cell transition

作者：Kim Rae Kwon; Suh Yongjoon; Yoo Ki Chun; Cui Yan Hong; Hwang Eunji; Kim Hyun Jin; Kang Ju Seop; Kim Min Jung; Lee Young Yiul; Lee Su Jae^*

来源：CANCER SCIENCE, 2015, 106(1): 94-101.

DOI：10.1111/cas.12562

• basal type breast cancer cells
• cancer metastasis
• epithelial-mesenchymal transition
• phloroglucinol
• SLUG

Metastasis is a challenging clinical problem and the primary cause of death in breast cancer patients. However, there is no therapeutic agent against metastasis of breast cancer cells. Here we report that phloroglucinol, a natural phlorotannin component of brown algae suppresses metastatic ability of breast cancer cells. Treatment with phloroglucinol effectively inhibited mesenchymal phenotypes of basal type breast cancer cells through downregulation of SLUG without causing a cytotoxic effect. Importantly, phloroglucinol decreased SLUG through inhibition of PI3K/AKT and RAS/RAF-1/ERK signaling. In agreement with in vitro data, phloroglucinol was also effective against in vivo metastasis of breast cancer cells, drastically suppressing their metastatic ability to lungs, and extending the survival time of mice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate a novel anticancer activity of phloroglucinol against metastasis of breast cancer cells, implicating its clinical relevance.

• 出版日期2015-1