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Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases
Published on: August 23, 2024
Monascin accelerates anoikis in circulating tumor cells and prevents breast cancer metastasis
Kung-Yen Chen1, Jui-An Lin1,2, Han-Yun Yao1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Anoikis resistance has been observed in various types of cancers in which anchorage-independent growth is a crucial step for cancer metastasis. Therefore, agents interfering with this specific cancer cell behavior may be integrated into novel antimetastatic strategies. Monascin (MS), a secondary metabolite found in Monascus species, is a known potent chemopreventive compound used for treating metabolic complications; however, the effect of MS on anoikis resistance has not been investigated. In this study, 4T1 breast cells were treated with MS under either suspension or adhesion conditions. The higher cytotoxicity of MS was more potent against suspended cells than against adherent cells. This selective cytotoxicity was due to the induction of anoikis, which was evidenced by changes in cell aggregation, caspase activity, and Annexin V/propidium iodide binding as well as the results of systemic metastasis in an animal model. Furthermore, MS inhibited E-cadherin and β-catenin expression in the cells; the treated cells formed spherical aggregates, which suggested that anchorage-independent growth was prevented by MS. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the growth-preventing effect of MS on cancer cells and indicate the potential ability of MS to suppress metastasis.
Insights
Monascin (MS) selectively kills suspended cancer cells by inducing anoikis, a programmed cell death. This natural compound shows potential in preventing cancer metastasis by inhibiting anchorage-independent growth.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Anoikis resistance promotes cancer metastasis via anchorage-independent growth.
- Monascin (MS), a fungal metabolite, is known for chemopreventive properties but its effect on anoikis is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Monascin (MS) on anoikis resistance in cancer cells.
- To explore the potential of MS as an antimetastatic agent.
Main Methods:
- 4T1 breast cancer cells were treated with MS under suspension and adhesion.
- Assessed cytotoxicity, anoikis induction markers (caspase activity, Annexin V/PI binding), cell aggregation, and E-cadherin/β-catenin expression.
- Evaluated systemic metastasis in an animal model.
Main Results:
- MS exhibited higher cytotoxicity against suspended cells than adherent cells.
- MS induced anoikis in 4T1 cells, evidenced by apoptosis markers and suppressed metastasis.
- MS inhibited E-cadherin and β-catenin, preventing anchorage-independent growth and forming spherical aggregates.
Conclusions:
- Monascin selectively induces anoikis in suspended cancer cells, suggesting a role in overcoming anoikis resistance.
- MS demonstrates potential as an antimetastatic agent by inhibiting key pathways involved in cancer spread.
- Further research into MS mechanisms could lead to novel anti-metastasis therapies.
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