Evaluation of anticancer effects of frankincense on breast cancer stem-like cells

Relapse and metastasis in breast cancer are linked to cancer stem cells (CSCs) resistant to anticancer therapies. The presence of cancer stem-like cells (CSLCs) and their ability to self-renew is determined by in vitro spheroid formation.

Many studies have found that frankincense has anticancer impacts, although these effects on breast CSLCs have never been evaluated.

A population of heterogeneous breast tumor cells was extracted from the tumor mass after generating an animal model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Spheroid formation was used as an in vitro assay to determine the existence of CSLCs in these cells. MTT assay was used to determine frankincense's cytotoxic activity. An annexin V- propidium iodide (PI) staining and scratch test were used to assess the induction of apoptosis and antimetastatic effects of frankincense. The frankincense extract has significant cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on breast CSLCs. Although, the breast CSLCs are more resistant to these impacts than other breast cancer cells.

Our study is the first report that indicates that frankincense extract has anticancer properties in breast CSLCs. Compared to many anticancer chemicals, which have limited potential to battle cancer stem cells, frankincense is an appropriate option to combat breast CSCs.