Anti-proliferative activity of RIHMS-Qi-23 against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line is through inhibition of cell proliferation and senescence but not inhibition of targeted kinases

Abstract

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common malignancy globally, and is considered a major cause of cancer-related death. Tremendous effort is exerted to identify an optimal anticancer drug with limited side effects. The quinoline derivative RIMHS-Qi-23 had a wide-spectrum antiproliferative activity against various types of cancer cells. Methods In the current study, the effect of RIMHS-Qi-23 was tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line to evaluate its anticancer efficacy in comparison to the reference compound doxorubicin. Results Our data suggest an anti-proliferative effect of RIMHS-Qi-23 on the MCF-7 cell line with superior potency and selectivity compared to doxorubicin. Our mechanistic study suggested that the anti-proliferative effect of RIMHS-Qi-23 against MCF-7 cell line is not through targeted kinase inhibition but through other molecular machinery targeting cell proliferation and senescence such as cyclophlin A, p62, and LC3. Conclusion RIMHS-Qi-23 is exerting an anti-proliferative effect that is more potent and selective than doxorubicin.