PCK3145 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in breast and colon cancer cells.

AIM To explore the effects of PCK3145 beyond prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using Trypan blue, MTT proliferation assays, cell cycle and apoptosis analysis, we assessed the effects of PCK3145 on prostate (PC-3), breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) human cancer cell lines and in osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells; any synergistic effects with docetaxel and oxaliplatin were also explored. RESULTS PCK3145 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of PC-3, MCF-7 and HT-29 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner but not in the MG-63 cell line, consistent with the low expression of the laminin receptor (LR) in the latter cell line. PCK3145 produced rapid (within 5 min) and transient (up to 60 min) activation of MEK and ERK1/2. Synergistic effects were observed with docetaxel and oxaliplatin. CONCLUSION PCK3145 can exert anticancer activity not only on prostate but also on breast and colon cancer cells, possibly through LR-mediated activation of MEK and ERK1/2 phosphorylation.