Inhibition of EGFR autophosphorylation plays an important role in the anti-breast cancer efficacy of the dithiocarbamate derivative TM208

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of a novel dithiocarbamate derivative TM208 on human breast cancer cells as well as the pharmacokinetic characteristics of TM208 in human breast cancer xenograft mice.Methods:Human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with TM208 or a positive control drug tamoxifen. Cell proliferation was examined using SRB and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was analyzed with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay. Protein expression was examined with Western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemical analyses. MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft nude mice were orally administered TM208 (50 or 150 mg·kg -1 ·d -1) or tamoxifen (50 mg·kg -1 ·d -1) for 18 d. On d 19, the tumors were collected for analyses. Blood samples were collected from the mice treated with the high dose of TM208, and plasma concentrations of TM208 were measured using LC-MS/MS.Results:Treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells with TM208 dose-dependently inhibited the cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro (the IC 50 values were 36.38±3.77 and 18.13±0.76 μmol/L, respectively). TM208 (20-150μmol/L) dose-dependently induced apoptosis of both the breast cancer cells in vitro. In MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft nude mice, TM208 administration dose-dependently reduced the tumor growth, but did not result in the accumulation of TM208 or weight loss. TM208 dose-dependently inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK1/2 in both the breast cancer cells in vitro as well as in the MCF-7 xenograft tumor.Conclusion:Inhibition of EGFR autophosphorylation plays an important role in the anticancer effect of TM208 against human breast cancer.