Enhanced Induction of MDA-MB-231 Cell Death using the Combination of Galloflavin and Electroporation

Abstract

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is difficult to treat since it lacks the three most commonly targeted hormone receptors. Patients with TNBC are treated with platinum core chemotherapeutics, such as Cisplatin. However, despite the anticancer effects of Cisplatin, TNBC attenuates its effect and develops a resistance eventually, which results in tumor reoccurrence. Hence, there is a critical demand for effective alternative and natural ways to treat TNBC. Towards this, inhibiting TNBC cell proliferation by blocking the key glycolytic enzyme Lactase Dehydrogenase B (LDHB) is one viable option studied in this research. Galloflavin (GF), a potent LDHB inhibitor synthesized from gallic acid, is utilized in this research. In addition, Electrochemotherapy (ECT), which involves the application of electrical pulses (EP), was utilized to enhance GF uptake. MDA-MB-231, human TNBC cells were used for this, with/out Galloflavin, and eight pulses of 600V/cm, 800V/cm, 1000V/cm, and 1200V/cm, at 100μs and 1Hz. The cells were characterized using various assays, including viability, colony-forming, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results indicate a TNBC cell viability of as low as 22%, demonstrating the potential of this novel treatment.