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Induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells by apomine is mediated by caspase and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase activation.

Lowe LC, Senaratne SG, Colston KW

Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. llowe@sghms.ac.uk

The 1,1-bisphosphonate ester family member apomine (SR-45023A) is known to have anti-tumour activity in various cancer cell types. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of apomine on the growth of two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, to ascertain whether any growth inhibitory effects found were due to induction of apoptosis, and to investigate the mechanism of action of apomine. Apomine caused significant growth inhibition of both cell lines after 72h of treatment. Apomine-induced growth inhibition was associated with caspase and p38 MAPK activation and DNA fragmentation. Apomine had no effect on Ras localisation, nor did addition of mevalonate to treatment media prevent apomine-induced apoptosis. We conclude that apomine induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells, an effect that is independent of oestrogen receptor status and is not via inhibition of the mevalonate pathway. Our study suggests apomine is a potential anti-neoplastic drug in breast cancer treatment.

Published 1 March 2005 in Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 329(2): 772-9.
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