Modulation of Myb-induced NF-kB-STAT3 signaling and resulting cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer by dietary factors

c-Myb regulates tumorigenesis in multiple cancers. Here we show, for the first time, the mechanism of c-Myb-mediated proliferation, invasion, and drug resistance in ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecological cancer, and a comparative analyses of dietary agents, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and sulforaphane in inhibiting c-Myb activity. We evaluated myb expression in patients with OC and found its increased expression in patients with cancer, compared with normal controls and in higher grade tumors, compared with low-grade tumors. Using ES2 and OVCAR3 cell line models, along with the silencing or overexpression of c-Myb, we establish a role of c-Myb in determining resistance to cisplatin. c-Myb overexpression activated NF-kappa B and STAT3 signaling leading to enhanced proliferation, invasion, and cisplatin resistance. Contrary to this, silencing of c-Myb inhibited proliferation, invasion, and sensitized OC cells to cisplatin. Further, among the dietary agents tested, EGCG almost completely inhibited the c-Myb-induced proliferation and invasion whereas sulforaphane also had significant inhibitory effect. Both compounds significantly sensitized OC cells to cisplatin, reversing the c-Myb effects. Higher c-Myb levels in patients with ovarian cancer lead to poor survival and our results indicate a possible effect of dietary factors EGCG and sulforaphane against c-Myb-mediated ovarian cancer progression and chemoresistance.