Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples
07:03

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Published on: October 2, 2020

4.8K

Celastrol and Triptolide Suppress Stemness in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Notch as a Therapeutic Target for Stem

Prabhu Ramamoorthy1, Prasad Dandawate1, Roy A Jensen2

  • 1Department of Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.

Biomedicines
|April 30, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Celastrol and triptolide inhibit cancer stemness in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These natural compounds target cancer stem cells and Notch signaling, offering a potential strategy to reduce TNBC progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for ~15% of breast cancers, characterized by poor survival and high metastatic potential.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs) within TNBC tumors drive tumorigenesis and metastasis.
  • Notch signaling is crucial for stem cell renewal and is implicated in cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of natural compounds celastrol and triptolide in inhibiting stemness in TNBC.
  • To elucidate the role of Notch signaling in TNBC stemness and the effect of these compounds on the pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, BT20) and patient-derived primary cells (PD-TNBC).
  • Assessed stemness using the mammosphere assay.
  • Quantified expression of CSC markers (DCLK1, ALDH1, CD133) and Notch signaling components (Notch-1, NICD, HES-1, HEY-1).
  • Investigated the effect of ectopic Notch intracellular domain 1 (NICD1) overexpression.

Main Results:

  • Celastrol and triptolide significantly suppressed mammosphere formation in TNBC cells.
  • Both compounds reduced the expression of key CSC markers (DCLK1, ALDH1, CD133).
  • Celastrol and triptolide inhibited Notch-1 activation and downstream targets (HES-1, HEY-1).
  • Ectopic overexpression of NICD1 partially rescued cell proliferation and mammosphere formation, confirming Notch pathway involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Celastrol and triptolide effectively inhibit stemness in triple-negative breast cancer.
  • Targeting cancer stem cells and the Notch signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
  • These findings highlight the potential of natural compounds in combating TNBC progression.
Keywords:
ALDH1DCLK1mammospheresnicastrinpresenilinγ-secretase

More Related Videos

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells13:38

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

12.4K
Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

Published on: June 9, 2023

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.3K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
8.0K
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance02:40

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
5.2K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.2K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.2K