Pexmetinib suppresses osteoclast formation and breast cancer induced osteolysis via P38/STAT3 signal pathway

• Published in: Journal of bone oncology 2022-08, Vol.35, p.100439, Article 100439
• Main Authors: Jie, Zhiwei, Wang, Shiyu, Ma, Qingliang, Shen, Yang, Zhao, Xiangde, Yu, Hejun, Xie, Ziang, Jiang, Chao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Breast cancer; Osteoclast; Osteolysis; P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase; Pexmetinib; Research Paper
• ISSN: 2212-1374; 2212-1366; 2212-1374
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2022.100439

[Display omitted] •Pexmetinib inhibited osteoclastogenesis in vitro.•Pexmetinib inhibited breast cancer migration and invasion in vitro.•Pexmetinib treatment attenuated breast cancer induced osteolysis in vivo. Breast cancer metastases to the bone can lead to a series of bone-related events that seriously affect the quality of life. Pexmetinib, a novel p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38) inhibitor that has been evaluated in phase I clinical trials for myelodysplastic syndrome, but the effects of Pexmetinib on breast cancer induced osteolysis haven’t been explored. Here, we found that Pexmetinib inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro. Pexmetinib suppressed p38-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which direct regulated transcription of the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), leading to reduced osteoclast formation. Moreover, Pexmetinib exerted anti-tumor effects in breast cancer cells in vitro via suppressing p38-mediated STAT3 activation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression. Furthermore, Pexmetinib suppressed breast cancer-associated osteolysis in vivo. These results suggest that Pexmetinib may be a promising drug for the treatment of breast cancer-induced osteolysis.