Investigation of Fibroblast Growth Factor Peptide Antagonist on Mouse Model Breast Tumor through ERK/MAPK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways

BACKGROUND

In the majority of cancers, metastasis of tumor cells is the main cause of treatment failure. This study intended to investigate the effectiveness of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) peptide designed to inhibit tumor growth in 4T1 metastatic breast cancer through the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signal transduction pathways.

METHODS

The tumor was induced through 4T1 tumor graft in BALB/c mice. The designed peptide was injected intraperitoneal at three selected doses after two weeks for 14 days. The PBS and doxorubicin were used as the negative and positive control groups, respectively. Tumor size was measured and after the treatment period, the mice underwent a surgery and tumors were used for the western blot examinations.

RESULTS

the peptide injection was effective in reducing or inhibiting tumor growth in mice model and in vitro. The western blot analysis results showed that the p-AKT and p-ERK levels in peptide treated tumors were reduced (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The peptide injection was effective in mice model. Findings showed that in the two signal transduction pathways, the p-AKT and p-ERK levels were significantly different from the negative control group.