Anticancer Impact of Nitric Oxide (NO) and NO Combination with SMYD-3 Inhibitor on Breast Carcinomas

Despite enormous advances in the detection and treatment of breast cancer, it still remains the leading cancer diagnosis and has the second highest mortality rate. Thus, breast cancer research is a high priority for academics and clinicians alike. Based on previous research indicating the potential of nitric oxide (NO) and SMYD-3 inhibition, this work sought to expand upon these concepts and combine the two approaches. Both NO (from S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)), termed Group 1, and a combination therapeutic, inhibitor-4 (SMYD-3 inhibitor) plus NO (from GSNO), termed Group 2, were evaluated for their efficacy on breast carcinoma cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, and the normal MCF10A breast cell line, using cellular viability, colony formation capacity, cytotoxicity, and cellular apoptosis analysis. These results indicated that, in Group 1, breast carcinoma lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-231, cells experienced a moderate reduction in cellular viability (~20–25%), a large reduction in colony formation capacity (~80–90%), a moderate increase in the relative number of dead cells, and a moderate increase in cellular apoptosis. Group 2 was significantly more impactful, with a ~50% knockdown in cellular viability, a 100% reduction in colony formation capacity, a large increase in the relative number of dead cells, and a large increase in cellular apoptosis. Additionally, Group 2 induced a very small impact on the normal MCF10A cell line. Cumulatively, this work revealed the exciting impact of this combination therapeutic, indicating its potential for clinical application and further research.