Salicylate •Phenanthroline copper (II) complex induces apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer cells

In this study, we investigated anti-tumor activity and associated molecular mechanism of action of Salicylate center dot Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex in triple-negative breast cancer. Salicylate center dot Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex inhibited the growth of four breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231 and BT-20) and induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect was more profound in MDA-MB-231 and BT-20 triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. Western blot showed that the expression of the apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and survivin was significantly reduced in MDA-MB-231 after treatment with Salicylate center dot Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex. In vivo, Salicylate center dot Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex administration significantly attenuated tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografts, and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin were reduced as measured by immunohistochemical staining. These data suggest that Salicylate center dot Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex is a promising novel therapeutic drug for triple-negative breast cancer and warrants further study.