Sulforaphane Modulates Metastasis Related Gene Expression and Cytokine Secretion in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Sulforaphane (SFN) a chemopreventive isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables, exhibits antimetastatic properties. To address the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the antimetastatic activity of SFN we assessed the expression of some chemotactic factors, adhesion molecules, and key regulators of metastasis. For this purpose, MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with different concentrations of SFN. After 72 h, the inhibitory effects of SFN on the production of the cytokines and also expression of metastatic related genes were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and, real-time PCR, respectively. Our results revealed that, SFN significantly decreased the secretion of TGF beta 1, MCP1, and MMP9, while the level of IL8 was decreased only at high concentrations of SFN. Moreover, our findings showed that, SFN significantly downregulated the expression of VCAM1, fibronectin, and VEGF while, there was no significant difference in gene expression of ICAM1 after 72 h. SFN treatment. According to obtained results, SFN can be considered as a potential adjuvant therapeutic agent by targeting key regulators of breast cancer metastasis.