Modulation of Apoptosis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition E-cadherin/TGF-β/Snail/TWIST Pathways by a New Ciprofloxacin Chalcone in Breast Cancer Cells

Background/Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the new ciprofloxacin chalcone [7-(4-(N substituted carbamoyl methyl) piperazin-1 yl)] on the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of MCF-7 and MDAMB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Cell viability, colony formation and cell migration abilities were analysed. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. The molecular mechanism underlying chalcone's activity was investigated using qRT-PCR and western blotting. Results: This new ciprofloxacin chalcone significantly inhibited proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration abilities of both cancer cell lines. Furthermore, it initiated apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M and S phase in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. In addition, it up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic factors, p53, PUMA and NOXA, and down-regulated the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, MDM2 and MDM4. At the same time, it inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition by increasing the expression of E-cadherin and decreasing the expression of TGF-beta 1, SNAI1, TWIST1, MMP2, and MMP9. Conclusion: This new ciprofloxacin chalcone exhibited promising apoptotic and anti-metastatic activities against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, and, therefore, is an attractive molecule for drug development in the treatment of breast cancer.

Automated summary

The new ciprofloxacin chalcone showed significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation, migration, and colony formation abilities of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. It induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, while also regulating the expression of apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition.