Glucosamine attenuates drug resistance in Mitoxantrone-resistance breast cancer cells

Objectives This study was aimed at investigating the cytotoxicity and multi-drug resistance (MDR) reversal effect of Glucosamine (GlcN) on resistant BCRP-overexpressing breast cancer MCF-7/MX cells. Methods After confirming the overexpression of BCRP, the cytotoxicity and MDR reversing potential of GlcN on MCF-7/MX mitoxantrone-resistant and MCF-7 sensitive breast cancer cells were assessed via MTT assay. The effects of GlcN on mitoxantrone accumulation were analyzed through flow cytometry. Finally, the expression of BCRP and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-related markers following the exposure to GlcN were assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Key findings This study showed that glucosamine had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. The respective IC50 values for MCF-7/MX cells following exposure to mitoxantrone (MX) in the presence of GlcN (0, 0.5 and 1 mm) for 72 h were 3.61 0.21, 0.598 +/- 0.041 and 0.284 +/- 0.016 mu m, respectively. Furthermore, GlcN reduced the expression of BCRP mRNA without any significant effect on EMT-related markers in breast cancer cells. Conclusions These results proposed that glucosamine as a natural sugar could down regulate the BCRP expression and increased MX cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells.

Automated summary

The study found that glucosamine has inhibitory effects on the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. In the presence of GlcN, the IC50 values of MCF-7/MX cells to mitoxantrone were significantly reduced. Furthermore, GlcN decreased the expression of BCRP mRNA without affecting EMT-related markers in breast cancer cells.