Anticancer Effect of Gallic Acid on Acidity-Induced Invasion of MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells

The acidic tumor environment has emerged as a crucial factor influencing the metastatic potential of cancer. We investigated the effect of an acidic environment on the acquisition of metastatic properties in MCF7 breast cancer cells and explored the inhibitory effects of gallic acid. Prolonged exposure to acidic culture conditions (over 12 weeks at pH 6.4) induced the acquisition of migratory and invasive properties in MCF7 cells, accompanied by increased expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9, respectively), together with alterations in E-cadherin, vimentin, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers. Gallic acid effectively inhibited the survival of acidity-adapted MCF7 (MCF7-6.4/12w) cells at high concentrations (>30 mu M) and reduced metastatic characteristics induced by acidic conditions at low concentration ranges (5-20 mu M). Moreover, gallic acid suppressed the PI3K/Akt pathway and the nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin, which were elevated in MCF7-6.4/12w cells. These findings highlight the potential of gallic acid as a promising therapeutic agent for metastatic traits in breast cancer cells under acidic conditions.

Automated summary

The acidic tumor environment is an important factor in cancer metastasis. This study investigated the impact of an acidic environment on the metastatic properties of MCF7 breast cancer cells and examined the inhibitory effects of gallic acid. Prolonged exposure to acidic conditions induced the acquisition of migratory and invasive properties in MCF7 cells, which was accompanied by changes in the expression of certain proteins and markers. Gallic acid effectively inhibited the survival and reduced the metastatic characteristics of acidity-adapted MCF7 cells. This highlights the potential of gallic acid as a therapeutic agent for metastatic traits in breast cancer cells under acidic conditions.