Combination of Pan-EGFR inhibitor and all-trans retinoic acid suppresses the migration ability of triple negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line

Ayvaz Ş., İsmailoğlu Ş. M., Bolat Z. B.

GENE REPORTS, vol.45, pp.1-6, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.genrep.2026.102614
  • Journal Name: GENE REPORTS
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-6
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objectives

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a highly aggressive subtype of breast cancer, associated with lack of effective targeted therapy options. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a key driver of TNBC progression by promoting proliferation, survival, and metastasis. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is known to influence cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, and to reverse epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The current study investigates the migration ability of Dacomitinib (a pan-EGFR inhibitor) and ATRA on the MDA-MB-231 cell line.

Material and methods

Cell viability and clonogenic survival was conducted by MTS and colony formation assay, respectively. The migration ability was assessed by scratch assay, and gene expression levels of Akt, E-cadherin, and EGFR genes were determined by qPCR analysis.

Results

The present study revealed that the combined treatment of 1.5 μM Dacomitinib and 5 μM ATRA exerted an inhibitory effect on cell viability (54.22 ± 3.71%). Furthermore, scratch assays demonstrated a significant reduction in combination group with a 16.06% wound closure rate when compared to the control group. Similarly, the colony diameter in control group (2642.79 μm) reduced significantly in combination group to 153.50 μm. Gene expression analysis showed a significant decrease to 0.19-fold of E-cadherin gene while AKT and EFGR gene expression levels showed a non-significant change in combination group.

Conclusion

Overall, these findings indicate that the combined treatment of Dacomitinib and ATRA may represent a therapeutic strategy for suppressing migration ability in TNBC therapy.
Abbreviations list
ATRA,
All-trans retinoic acid
;
EGFR,
Epidermal growth factor receptor
;
EMT,
epithelial-mesenchymal transition
;
h,
hour
;
PSA,
penicillin, streptomycin and amphotericin
;
TNBC,
Triple-negative breast cancer

Keywords
Dacomitinib
;
Triple negative breast cancer
;
All-trans retinoic acid
;
Anti-migratory effect