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Updated: Nov 9, 2025

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
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Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Published on: December 5, 2020

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Niclosamide's potential direct targets in ovarian cancer†

Nikola Sekulovski1, James A MacLean1,2, Sambasiva R Bheemireddy3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA.

Biology of Reproduction
|April 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Niclosamide, an anti-cancer drug, targets RNA-binding proteins FXR1 and IGF2BP2 in ovarian cancer. Inhibiting these proteins reduces cancer cell survival and migration, suggesting they are key drivers of oncogenic pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Niclosamide is recognized as an anti-cancer agent with potential against various cancer types.
  • Previous research identified niclosamide's efficacy through high-throughput screening, but direct molecular targets remained elusive.
  • Understanding niclosamide's precise mechanisms in ovarian cancer is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the direct molecular targets of niclosamide in ovarian cancer.
  • To elucidate the role of identified targets in ovarian cancer progression and response to niclosamide.
  • To investigate the involvement of specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in niclosamide's anti-cancer effects.

Main Methods:

  • Affinity purification using a biotin-modified niclosamide derivative followed by mass spectrometry to identify binding proteins.
  • Selection and further analysis of identified RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), specifically FXR1 and IGF2BP2.
  • Ovarian cancer cell line experiments involving gene knockdown and assessment of cell viability, adhesion, migration, and drug response.

Main Results:

  • Several RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) were identified as potential direct binding partners of niclosamide.
  • High expression of FXR1 and IGF2BP2 correlates with reduced survival in ovarian cancer patients.
  • Knockdown of FXR1 or IGF2BP2 significantly decreased ovarian cancer cell viability, adhesion, and migration, and reduced niclosamide efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • FXR1 and IGF2BP2 are identified as direct targets of niclosamide in ovarian cancer.
  • These RBPs play critical roles in driving multiple oncogenic pathways in ovarian cancer.
  • Targeting FXR1 and IGF2BP2 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.
Keywords:
FXR1 and IGF2BP2RNA-binding proteinniclosamideovarian cancer

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