Itraconazole Alters the Stem Cell Characteristics of A549 and NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells by Suppressing Wnt Signaling

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) behave as their malignant counterparts, but persist after treatment, and possess properties that allow them to interact with their environment. Itraconazole, an antifungal agent, also has a role in suppressing tumor progression, but its effects in regulating tumor cell sternness remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of itraconazole on A549 and NCI-H460 human lung cancer cell stemness in vitro. Material/Methods: A549 and NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells and BEAS-2B normal bronchial epithelial cells were cultured with and without itraconazole. Cell viability was evaluated. The expression of stem cell markers, CD133, ATP binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), were measured by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Sphere-forming cells were evaluated in vitro. Results: Itraconazole reduced the expression of stemness molecules CD133, ABCG2, and ALDH1 in A549 and NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells, and the numbers of sphere-forming cells were reduced. However, itraconazole had little effect on cell viability but enhanced the chemosensitivity of A549 and NCI-H460 cells. ltraconazole inhibited Wnt signaling. Re-activation of Wnt signaling restored itraconazole-mediated inhibition on A549 and NCI-H460 cell stemness. Conclusions: ltraconazole altered the sternness characteristics of A549 and NCI-H460 human lung cancer cells by suppress- ing Wnt signaling but did not affect cell viability.