A Combination of EGFR Inhibitors and AE-PDT Could Synergistically Suppress Breast Cancer Progression

Author(s):

Yajuan Niu, Xiya Guo, Wang Han, Xiaoyu Han, Kaiting Li, Si Tian, Ying Zhu, DingQun Bai and Qing Chen*   Pages 2135 - 2145 ( 11 )

Abstract:

<P>Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in women. Activation of EGFR by EC-secreted EGFR ligands promotes breast cancer progression. Current treatments provide limited benefits in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proven effective for the treatment of TNBC through the EGFR pathway, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. <P> Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the EGFR pathway in the treatment of PDT on TNBC in a co-culture system. <P> Methods: MB-231 and HUVEC were co-cultured for experiments (HU-231). Cell viability and ROS production were detected after AE-PDT, a combination of EGFR inhibitors (AEE788)with PDT to test angiogenesis, apoptosis, and pyroptosis. WB detects expression of EGFR. EGFR, P-EGFR, VEGF, caspase-1, capase-3, and GSDMD . <P> Results: AE-PDT inhibited HU-231 cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, and induced cell apoptosis and pyroptosis by promoting ROS production. AEE788, an inhibitor of the EGFR, enhanced HU-231 cell killing after AE-PDT. <P> Conclusion: Our study suggested that the combination of EGFR inhibitors and AE-PDT could synergistically suppress breast cancer progression, providing a new treatment strategy.</P>

Keywords:

EGFR pathway, photodynamic therapy (PDT), apoptosis, pyroptosis, angiogenesis, breast cancer.

Affiliation:

Graphical Abstract:

Read Full-Text article