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oa A Combination of EGFR Inhibitors and AE-PDT Could Synergistically Suppress Breast Cancer Progression
- Source: Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents), Volume 23, Issue 19, Nov 2023, p. 2135 - 2145
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- 01 Nov 2023
Abstract
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.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.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 .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.Conclusion: Our study suggested that the combination of EGFR inhibitors and AE-PDT could synergistically suppress breast cancer progression, providing a new treatment strategy.