Anticancer Effect of 1-(Anthracen-10-ylmethyl)-3-(2-cyanobenzyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium chloride in 2D and 3D Cell Culture Models in Breast Cancer

INTRODUCTION: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subgroup of breast cancer that exhibits a highly complex and heterogeneous character has led researchers to seek for new and effective therapeutic agents due to the inadequacy of current treatment options. In the literature, there are benzimidazole derivatives whose antiproliferative effects have been investigated in many cell line and animal studies. For present study, a benzimidazolium salt (BS), namely 1-(anthracen-10-ylmethyl)-3-(2-cyanobenzyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium chloride was prepared from 2-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)methyl) benzonitrile (1 mmol) and 10-(chloromethyl) anthracene (1 mmol).
METHODS: In our trial it was aimed to investigate the anticarcinogenic effects of above mentioned BS, which waspreviously shown to be more effective than cisplatin(the chemotherapy agent being used in the treatment of TNBC)on 4T1 cells. Cell viability (2D and 3D), colony forming, 3D spheroid formation, wound healing scratch and Annexin V/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining analyzes were used to determine cell growth/proliferation, migration and apoptozis respectively.
RESULTS: According to the results, BS significantly reduced viability/proliferation, colony formation and migration in 4T1 cells, even at low doses. It also induced apoptosis.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that, BS is a potential antiproliferative agent that reduces the carcinogenic properties of 4T1 cells through inhibiting cell proliferation, migration as well as inducing apoptozis. Its mechanism of action should be elucidated with further studies.