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 cytotoxi cities in MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells. Moreover, both CMT-3 and CM T-8 significantly inhibited in vitro cell migration and invasion at non-cyt otoxic concentrations. Anti-invasion and migration potentials of the CMTs w ere 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 an d migration in U-373 MG human glioblastoma cells. Our current finding is th e first demonstration that CMT-3 and CMT-8 can activate the function of inv asion suppressor molecules associated with the suppression of breast cancer cell invasion and migration. Thus, clinical application of CMTs may provid e potential benefit for suppression of breast cancer growth, invasion and m etastasis.