β-lapachone impairs viability, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mammary tumor spheroids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breast cancer is the main cancer among women globally and the second most prevalent in Brazil. In the 2023-2025 triennium, it was estimated that nearly 20,000 deaths occurred. The poor prognosis is mainly associated with the occurrence of metastasis. New therapeutic strategies are needed to control the tumor progression and/or improve cancer patients' quality of life. β-lapachone (β-lap) is a natural naphthoquinone obtained from the inner bark of the lapacho trees, native to South America. This compound has several pharmacological properties, including antitumor effects in various solid tumors. Three-dimensional (3D) culture models better replicate the interactions between cells and cells with the extracellular matrix, mimicking tumor structure and behavior. They exhibit

SUBMITTER: Coelho LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12659128 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature