Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
11:13

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

Published on: June 9, 2023

1.7K

Silibinin Anticancer Effects Through the Modulation of the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Triple-Negative Breast

Shubham D Mishra1, Patricia Mendonca1,2, Sukhmandeep Kaur1

  • 1Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|July 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Silibinin shows promise in overcoming treatment resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment and redox pathways. This natural compound may reverse immunosuppression and enhance chemotherapy effectiveness in TNBC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its aggressive nature and resistance to conventional treatments.
  • Current therapies like chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are often ineffective against TNBC because of tumor heterogeneity, immunosuppression, and altered redox pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of silibinin in overcoming therapeutic resistance in TNBC.
  • To investigate silibinin's mechanisms of action in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and redox balance.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies on silibinin's effects in TNBC models.
  • Analysis of silibinin's impact on key signaling pathways (JAK/STAT3, NF-κB, Nrf2) and cellular processes (EMT, CSCs).
  • Evaluation of silibinin's interaction with immune cells and its effect on PD-L1 expression.

Main Results:

  • Silibinin suppresses PD-L1, NF-κB-driven inflammation, and tumor-associated macrophage recruitment.
  • It disrupts redox adaptation via the Nrf2-EGFR-MYC-TXNIP axis, enhancing oxidative stress and chemosensitivity.
  • Silibinin inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition, reduces cancer stem cells, and synergizes with PD-1 inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Silibinin exhibits multifaceted anticancer effects by reshaping the TIME and reversing chemoresistance in TNBC.
  • Its dual antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties make it a promising adjunct therapy for TNBC.
  • Advanced formulations are needed to overcome silibinin's bioavailability limitations for improved clinical efficacy.
Keywords:
CCL2JAK/STAT3MUC1-CNrf2PD-L1/PD-1TNBCbreast cancerflavonoidssilibinintumor immune microenvironment

More Related Videos

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports07:44

Studying the Effects of Tumor-Secreted Paracrine Ligands on Macrophage Activation using Co-Culture with Permeable Membrane Supports

Published on: November 28, 2019

7.6K
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model09:29

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model

Published on: March 20, 2020

18.1K

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...
2.1K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
664
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...
7.8K
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...
2.0K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.8K