Inhibitory Effect of Etravirine, a Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, via Anterior Gradient Protein 2 Homolog Degradation against Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Anterior gradient protein 2 homolog (AGR2), an endoplasmic reticulum protein, is secreted in the tumor microenvironment. AGR2 is a member of the disulfide isomerase family, is highly expressed in multiple cancers, and promotes cancer metastasis. In this study, we found that etravirine, which is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, could induce AGR2 degradation via autophagy. Moreover, etravirine diminished proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Moreover, in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, the combination of etravirine and paclitaxel significantly suppressed cancer progression and metastasis. This drug may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Automated summary

The study found that etravirine can induce AGR2 degradation via autophagy, thereby reducing tumor proliferation and metastasis. In vitro experiments and a mouse model showed that the combination of etravirine and paclitaxel can significantly suppress cancer progression and metastasis.