Indole-2-Carboxamide Derivative LG25 Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Growth By Suppressing Akt/mTOR/NF-κB Signalling Pathway

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer which is associated with poor patient outcome and lack of targeted therapy. Our laboratory has synthesized a series of indole-2-carboxamide derivatives. Among this series, compound LG25 showed a favorable pharmacological profile against sepsis and inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we investigated the chemotherapeutic potential of LG25 against TNBC utilizing in vitro and in vivo models. METHODS: Changes in cell viability, cell cycle phases and apoptosis were analyzed using MTT, clonogenic assay, FACS and Western blotting assays. The anti-cancer effects of LG25 were further determined in a xenograft mouse model. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that LG25 reduced TNBC viability in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric and Western blot analyses showed that LG25 enhances G2/M cell cycle arrest and induced cell apoptosis. In addition, LG25 treatment significantly inhibited Akt/mTOR phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). These inhibitory activities of LG25 were confirmed in mice implanted MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells. CONCLUSION: Our studies provide experimental evidence that indole-2-carboxamide derivative LG25 effectively targeted TNBC in preclinical models by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, through suppressing Akt/mTOR/NF-κB signaling pathway.