Influence of chemically modified tetracyclines on proliferation, invasion and migration properties of MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells

Chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs) are promising anti-cancer agents. In this study, we found that CMT-3 and CMT-8 showed dose-dependent cytotoxicities in MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells. Moreover, both CMT-3 and CMT-8 significantly inhibited in vitro cell migration and invasion at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Anti-invasion and migration potentials of the CMTs were associated with an increased expression of E-cadherin/catenins (alpha, beta and gamma -catenin) and tumor suppressor BRCA1. In addition, CMT-3 and CMT-8 abolished or reduced spontaneous and HGF/SF-induced cell invasion and migration in U-373 MG human glioblastoma cells. Our current finding is the first demonstration that CMT-3 and CMT-8 can activate the function of invasion suppressor molecules associated with the suppression of breast cancer cell invasion and migration. Thus, clinical application of CMTs may provide potential benefit for suppression of breast cancer growth, invasion and metastasis.