Evaluation of the Cytotoxic and Autophagic Effects of Atorvastatin on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Overview

Journal Balkan Med J

Publisher Galenos Publishing House

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2018 Feb 28

PMID 29485098

Citations 11

Authors

Tugba Alarcon Martinez

Naciye Dilara Zeybek

Sevda Muftuoglu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Recently, cytotoxic effects of statins on breast cancer cells have been reported. However, the mechanism of anti-proliferative effects is currently unknown. Autophagy is non-apoptotic programmed cell death, which is characterized by degradation of cytoplasmic components and as having a role in cancer pathogenesis.

Aims: To investigate the anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells with respect to both autophagy and apoptosis.

Study Design: Cell culture study.

Methods: Cell viability was analyzed using WST-1 cell proliferation assay. Apoptosis was determined by the TUNEL method, whereas autophagy was assessed by Beclin-1 and LC3B immunofluorescence staining. Ultrastructural analysis of cells was performed by electron microscopy.

Results: Atorvastatin reduced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner inducing TUNEL-, Beclin-1-, and LC3B-positive cells. Moreover, ultrastructural analysis showed apoptotic, autophagic, and necrotic morphological changes in treatment groups. A statistically significant increase in the apoptotic index was detected with higher concentrations of atorvastatin at 24 h and 48 h (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The anti-proliferative effects of atorvastatin on breast cancer cells is mediated by the induction of both apoptosis and autophagy which shows statins as a potential treatment option for breast cancer.

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Atorvastatin and Nitrofurantoin Repurposed in the Context of Breast Cancer and Neuroblastoma Cells.

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Gales L, Forsea L, Mitrea D, Stefanica I, Stanculescu I, Mitrica R Medicina (Kaunas). 2022; 58(9).

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Novel Effects of Statins on Cancer via Autophagy.

Mengual D, Medrano L, Villamizar-Villamizar W, Osorio-Llanes E, Mendoza-Torres E, Bolivar S Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022; 15(6).

PMID: 35745567 PMC: 9228383. DOI: 10.3390/ph15060648.

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