Background
We identified increased β-catenin and Atk expression was associated with drug resistance and poor prognosis in breast cancer patients using public databases. Antrocin treatment suppressed breast tumorigenesis and stemness properties. Hypothesis/
Conclusion
Our preclinical evidence supports antrocin's ability of inhibiting tumorigenic and stemness properties in breast cancer cells. Further develop of antrocin should be encouraged; the combined use of antrocin and paclitaxel may also be considered for future clinical trials.
Methods
Various in vitro assays including SRB, Boyden chamber, colony formation, drug combination index and tumor sphere generation were used to determine the anti-cancer and stemness effects of antrocin. Mouse xenograft models were used to evaluate antrocin's effect in vivo.
Purpose
We aimed to provide preclinical evidence for antrocin, an active component of Antrodia cinnamomea, as a potential small-molecule drug for treating drug-resistant breast cancer.
Results
Antrocin treatment suppressed the viability, migration colony formation and mammosphere generation. Antrocin-mediated anti-cancer effects were associated with the decreased expression of oncogenic and stemness markers such as β-catenin, Akt and Notch1. A sequential regimen of antrocin and paclitaxel synergistically inhibit breast cancer viability in vitro and in vivo.