Auranofin, an antirheumatic drug, shows anticancer stem cell potential via suppression of the Stat3 signal

Accumulating data have shown that targeting breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) is an auspicious way for anticancer therapies. This study demonstrated that the antirheumatic drug auranofin is a potent CSC inhibitor with anti-CSC action on breast cancer. This research focused on investigating the effect...

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Published in:BMB reports Vol. 58; no. 7; pp. 293 - 299
Main Authors: Seung-yeon Ko, Yuna Kim, Jin Sun Chung, Young Bin Kim, Su-lim Kim, Dong-sun Lee, Kyung-hee Chun, Hack Sun Choi
Format: Journal Article
Language:Korean
Published: 생화학분자생물학회 31.07.2025
Subjects:
Auranofin
Breast cancer stem cells
IL-8
Mammosphere
Stat3
Stat3
IL-8
Mammosphere
Breast cancer stem cells
Auranofin
ISSN:1976-6696, 1976-670X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Accumulating data have shown that targeting breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) is an auspicious way for anticancer therapies. This study demonstrated that the antirheumatic drug auranofin is a potent CSC inhibitor with anti-CSC action on breast cancer. This research focused on investigating the effect of auranofin on breast cancer and CSCs and its cellular mechanism. Mammosphere formation, colony formation, levels of CD44 high /CD24 low , and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 expression in the cells were evaluated after auranofin treatment. The anti-CSC properties of auranofin were further examined by gel shift assay and cytokine detection. Auranofin suppressed cell growth, colony formation, migration, and mammosphere formation and triggered apoptosis in breast cancer. Auranofin decreased the CD44 high /CD24 low - and aldehyde dehydrogenase-expressed subpopulations, as well as the Stat3-DNA interaction and phosphorylated Stat3 level. Auranofin also decreased the extracellular levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the mammo-sphere media. Auranofin suppressed the Stat3/IL-8 signal and killed CSCs; therefore, it may be a potential target for CSCs. [BMB Reports 2025; 58(7): 293-299]
Bibliography:Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
KISTI1.1003/JNL.JAKO202521743203419
ISSN:1976-6696
1976-670X
DOI:10.5483/BMBRep.2025-0037