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

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2021

Autores

Almeida, CF (Autor) Outra; Amaral, C (Autor) Outra; Augusto, TV (Autor) Outra; Georgina Correia da Silva (Autor) FFUP; de Andrade, CM (Autor) Outra; Torqueti, MR (Autor) Outra; Teixeira, N (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Toxicon

Vol. 200

Páginas: 69-77

ISSN: 0041-0101

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citações

Scopus - 13 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00V-DBW

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.07.003

Abstract (EN): 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.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 9