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Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Anticancer potential of (-)-epicatechin in a triple-negative mammary gland model
Georgina Almaguer1, Pilar Ortiz-Vilchis1, Paola Cordero1
1Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, México City, México.
Objectives:
The main aim of this work was to analyse the potential tumour growth inhibition effects of (-)-epicatechin (EC). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive form of cancer characterized by the absence of progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used for its anti-tumour activity. EC belongs to the flavanol subfamily and is a candidate molecule for the adjuvant treatment of cancer due to its antiproliferative activities.
Methods:
Evaluation of EC effects and pathways involved in a model of TNBC.
Key Findings:
EC inhibited tumour growth as efficiently as DOX (inhibition rates of 74% and 79% for EC and DOX, respectively). The evaluation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt phosphorylation and mTOR expression indicates that EC modulates these pathways, resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, we found an increase in the survival of EC-treated animals compared with control-treated animals. This effect was similar to the effects induced by DOX (survival rates of 44% and 30% for EC and DOX, respectively).
Conclusion:
EC has antiproliferative properties and increases survival in a model of TNBC. These effects may occur through the modulation of deregulated AMPK and Akt/mTOR signalling pathways.
Insights
(-)-epicatechin (EC) demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) models, comparable to Doxorubicin. EC also enhanced animal survival, suggesting potential as an adjuvant cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking standard therapeutic targets.
- Doxorubicin (DOX) is a common chemotherapy agent for TNBC.
- (-)-epicatechin (EC), a flavanol, exhibits antiproliferative properties and is explored for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the tumor growth inhibition effects of (-)-epicatechin (EC) in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model.
- To investigate the molecular pathways modulated by EC in TNBC.
- To evaluate the impact of EC on animal survival in a TNBC model.
Main Methods:
- In vivo evaluation of EC's anti-tumor efficacy in a TNBC model.
- Assessment of EC's effects on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt phosphorylation, and mTOR expression.
- Comparative analysis of EC and Doxorubicin (DOX) efficacy and survival rates.
Main Results:
- EC exhibited tumor growth inhibition rates (74%) comparable to DOX (79%).
- EC treatment led to increased survival rates in animals (44%) versus control.
- EC modulated AMPK and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways, inhibiting cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- (-)-epicatechin possesses significant antiproliferative properties and enhances survival in TNBC models.
- EC's therapeutic effects are potentially mediated by the modulation of AMPK and Akt/mTOR signaling pathways.
- EC shows promise as an adjuvant therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.
