Antidepressant Sertraline Hydrochloride Inhibits the Growth of HER2+ AU565 Breast Cancer Cell Line through Induction of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest

Background: Drug repurposing in oncology promises benefits to many patients through its ability to provide novel, and fast-tracked treatments. Previous studies have demonstrated that depression may influence tumor progression. Anti-proliferative activity of certain antidepressants, mainly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are reported in the literature. Objective: This study was conducted to repurpose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for the treatment of breast cancers, and it merits further validation and research. Methods: Changes in cell morphology were studied using DAPI staining, while the Annexin V/PI method was employed for apoptotic analysis. The expression of specific genes involved in cancer progression was also analyzed via RT-PCR. Caspase-3 activation was measured through fluorometric assay. Results: We have identified that sertraline hydrochloride significantly inhibited the growth of breast cancer cell in vitro. Preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of sertraline hydrochloride was possibly through the induction of apoptosis, as inferred from enhanced nuclear fragmentation, flow cytometric data, and caspase-3/7 activation. Gene expression analysis also showed an increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, and a slight decrease in oncogene c-myc in the presence of sertraline hydrochloride. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study suggest that sertraline hydrochloride, an antidepressant drug, can potentially be used for the treatment of breast cancer.