Elimination of stem-like cancer cell side-population by auranofin through modulation of ROS and glycolysis.

ABSTRACT: Cancer side-population (SP) represents a sub-population of stem-like cancer cells that have an important role in drug resistance due to their high expression of the ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCG2 involved in drug export. Auranofin (AF), a clinical drug of gold complex that is used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been reported inducing tumor antiproliferation. However, whether AF can impact SP cells remains unclear. Our study showed that AF caused a depletion of SP cells and a downregulation of stem cell markers, and impaired their ability to form tumor colonies in vitro and incidence to develop tumors in vivo of lung cancer cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) had an important role in mediating AF-induced depletion of SP cells, which could be reversed by antioxidant NAC.

SUBMITTER: Hou GX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5833411 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature