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Isoliquiritigenin Inhibits Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression via Targeting the IRF5/SLC7A5/IDO1-Mediated

Sihai Duan1,2, Xiaoyan Li3, Cailu Song3

  • 1Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The Central Hospital of Yongzhou, Yongzhou, 425007, China.

Oncology Research
|November 3, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) suppresses triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by targeting interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5). This natural compound disrupts tryptophan metabolism, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for TNBC.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a poor prognosis.
  • Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a chalcone from licorice, is investigated for its therapeutic potential.
  • Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) is a key factor in TNBC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ISL targeting IRF5 in TNBC.
  • To determine the role of IRF5 in TNBC cell proliferation and metabolism.
  • To evaluate ISL's impact on tryptophan metabolism pathways in TNBC.

Main Methods:

  • IRF5 knockdown in TNBC cell lines using short hairpin RNA.
  • Cell proliferation assessed via CCK-8 and colony formation assays.
  • Expression analysis of IRF5, SLC7A5, and IDO1 using Western blotting and RT-PCR.
  • Quantification of intracellular tryptophan and metabolites via HPLC.

Main Results:

  • IRF5 is highly expressed in TNBC cell lines and its silencing inhibits proliferation.
  • IRF5 knockdown reduces SLC7A5 and IDO1 expression, decreasing intracellular tryptophan.
  • ISL treatment suppressed TNBC cell proliferation and disrupted tryptophan metabolism.

Conclusions:

  • ISL inhibits TNBC progression by downregulating IRF5.
  • ISL interferes with SLC7A5/IDO1-mediated tryptophan metabolic reprogramming.
  • ISL represents a potential therapeutic agent for TNBC.
Keywords:
Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5)indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)isoliquiritigeninsolute carrier family 7 member 5 (SLC7A5)triple-negative breast cancertryptophan metabolism

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