Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation by liraglutide promotes breast cancer through NOX4/ROS/VEGF pathway

Scientific evidence imply the strong correlation between diabetes and breast cancer. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and its analogue liraglutide, have been widely used for diabetes treatment. However, the role of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in breast cancer requires further elucidation. This study aimed to investigate the risk and the molecular mechanisms of liraglutide using in breast cancer.

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot or immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of GLP-1R, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) and tissues derived from BALB/cfC3H mouse bearing 4T1 cells inoculation. Cell proliferation and migration was detected using the Cell Counting Kit-8, adenosine triphosphate assay, and transwell assay, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to measure the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

We found that the expression of GLP-1R increased after liraglutide treatment in breast cancer cells and the transplanted tumors. Liraglutide, at a slightly higher concentration, accelerated breast cancer progress in vitro (100 nM) and in vivo (400μg/kg) through the NOX4/ROS/VEGF signal pathway after activating GLP-1R. The GLP-1R inhibitor, Exendin (9-39), significantly inhibited the effect of liraglutide, inducing a reversed function of GLP-1R activation.

Our study illustrated that in an approximately toxicology context, liraglutide may promote the malignant progression of TNBC. The dosage and the phenotype of the breast cancer should be considered as important factors for the rational administration of antidiabetic drugs, especially that of liraglutide in breast cancer patients.