Anti-metastatic effect of cantharidin in A549 human lung cancer cells

Cancer metastasis is represented by migration and invasion of cancer cells. Cancer cells invade into the blood or lymphatic vessels and this leads to the spread of cancer into the organs in distant sites. For cancer cells to migrate, extracellular matrix (ECM) must be degraded. Cantharidin, a compound derived from blister beetles, is known for its anti-cancer effect in several cancer cells. Here we report that cantharidin inhibits migration and invasion of A549 human lung cancer cell. We found that cantharidin inhibits activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. This leads to the selective attenuation of one of the gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinase 2, which can degrade components of ECM, and inhibits migration and invasion of A549 human lung cancer cell.