Tumour cell heterogeneity in triple-negative breast cancer cells affects response to cisplatin, but not doxorubicin

Efficacy of Cold Atmospheric Plasma vs. Chemotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Breast cancer is a growing disease, with a high worldwide incidence and mortality rate among women. Among the various types, the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a challenge. Considering the recent advances in cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) cancer research, our goal was to evaluate efficacy data from studies based on chemotherapy and CAP in TNBC cell lines and animal models. A search of the literature was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. Of the 10,999 studies, there were fifty-four in vitro studies, three in vivo studies, and two in vitro and in vivo studies included. MDA-MB-231 cells were the most used. MTT, MTS, SRB, annexin-V/propidium iodide, trypan blue, and clonogenic assay were performed to assess efficacy in vitro, increasing the reliability and comprehensiveness of the data. There was found to be a decrease in cell proliferation after both chemotherapy and CAP; however, different protocol settings, including an extensive range of drug doses and CAP exposure times, were reported. For both therapies, a considerable reduction in tumor volume was observed in vivo compared with that of the untreated group. The treatment of TNBC cell lines with CAP proved successful, with apoptosis emerging as the predominant type of cellular death. This systematic review presents a comprehensive overview of the treatment landscape in chemotherapy and CAP regarding their efficacy in TNBC cell lines.

Substitution Kinetics, Albumin and Transferrin Affinities, and Hypoxia All Affect the Biological Activities of Anticancer Vanadium(V) Complexes

Limited stability of most transition-metal complexes in biological media has hampered their medicinal applications but also created a potential for novel cancer treatments, such as intratumoral injections of cytotoxic but short-lived anticancer drugs. Two related V(V) complexes, [VO(Hshed)(dtb)] (1) and [VO(Hshed)(cat)] (2), where H2shed = N-(salicylideneaminato)-N'-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine, H2dtb = 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol, and H2cat = 1,2-catechol, decomposed within minutes in cell culture medium at 310 K (t1/2 = 43 and 9 s for 1 and 2, respectively). Despite this, both complexes showed high antiproliferative activities in triple-negative human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells, but the mechanisms of their activities were radically different. Complex 1 formed noncovalent adducts with human serum albumin, rapidly entered cells via passive diffusion, and was nearly as active in a short-term treatment (IC50 = 1.9 ± 0.2 μM at 30 min) compared with a long-term treatment (IC50 = 1.3 ± 0.2 μM at 72 h). The activity of 1 decreased about 20-fold after its decomposition in cell culture medium for 30 min at 310 K. Complex 2 showed similar activities (IC50 ≈ 12 μM at 72 h) in both fresh and decomposed solutions and was inactive in a short-term treatment. The activity of 2 was mainly due to the reactions among V(V) decomposition products, free catechol, and O2 in cell culture medium. As a result, the activity of 1 was less sensitive than that of 2 to the effects of hypoxic conditions that are characteristic of solid tumors and to the presence of apo-transferrin that acts as a scavenger of V(V/IV) decomposition products in blood serum. In summary, complex 1, but not 2, is a suitable candidate for further development as an anticancer drug delivered via intratumoral injections. These results demonstrate the importance of fine-tuning the ligand properties for the optimization of biological activities of metal complexes.

Anti-Migratory and Cytotoxic Activities of [Ga(8-hydroxyquinolinato)3 ]: Roles of Endogenous Cu(II) and Drug-Induced Phenotypic Changes

As shown by IncuCyte Zoom imaging proliferation assays, invasive triple-negative human breast MDA-MB-231 cancer cells treated with sub-toxic doses (5.0-20 μM, 72 h) of [GaQ3 ] (Q=8-hydroxyquinolinato) caused profound morphological changes and inhibition of cell migration, which were likely due to terminal cell differentiation or similar phenotypical change. This is the first demonstration of potential use of a metal complex in differentiation anti-cancer therapy. Additionally, a trace amount of Cu(II) (0.20 μM) added to the medium dramatically increased [GaQ3 ] cytotoxicity (IC50 ~2 μM, 72 h) due to its partial dissociation and the action of the HQ ligand as a Cu(II) ionophore, as shown with electrospray mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy assays in the medium. Hence, cytotoxicity of [GaQ3 ] is strongly linked to ligand binding of essential metal ions in the medium, for example, Cu(II). Appropriate delivery mechanisms of such complexes and their ligands could enable a powerful new triple therapeutic approach for cancer chemotherapy, including cytotoxicity against primary tumour, arrest of metastases, and activation of innate and adaptive immune responses.

Prognostic Value of Vimentin in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients Depends on Chemotherapy Regimen and p53 Mutant Expression

Purpose

To determine the prognostic value of vimentin in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients, specifically in relation to chemotherapy regimen and p53 mutant expression.

Patient and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the association of pre-treatment tumor expression of vimentin with 48-month overall survival (OS) of 72 all stages TNBC patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2018 in relation to chemotherapy regimen and expression of p53 mutant. Vimentin and p53 mutant expressions were examined using immunohistochemistry. Analysis was conducted on all patients collectively, then repeated on two cohorts divided according to the chemotherapy regimen. Sub-analysis was performed to determine the effect of p53 mutant expression on the prognostic value of vimentin.

Results

Vimentin was expressed in 43.1% of patients and was not associated with clinicopathologic characteristics. Vimentin was associated with improved 48-month OS in all patients in univariate analysis but not significant in multivariate analysis. When analyzed according to chemotherapy regimen, vimentin was independently associated with improved 48-month OS in patients receiving non-platinum-based chemotherapy (80% vs 15.8%; HR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05-0.58, p: 0.005). Other independent prognostic factors include T (HR: 6.18, 95% CI: 1.38-27.7, p: 0.017) and M (HR: 5.64, 95% CI: 1.2-26.33, p: 0.028). On subanalysis, vimentin was significantly associated with improved 48-month OS in patients expressing p53 mutant (69.2% vs 22.2%, p: 0.006) but was not significant in patients not expressing p53 mutant.

Conclusion

Vimentin expression was independently associated with improved 48-month OS in TNBC patients treated with non-platinum-based chemotherapy. Expression of p53 mutant significantly affected the prognostic value of vimentin.