Effect of 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid on non‑small cell lung cancer cell migration

Mol Med Rep. 2011 Sep-Oct;4(5):947-53. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2011.527. Epub 2011 Jul 1.

Abstract

Metastasis is a major cause of mortality among lung cancer patients. In a previous high-throughput screening of 20,000 compounds to identify inhibitors of cancer cell migration, 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid was found to inhibit the migration of nine tumor cell lines. The present study used the human non-small cell lung cancer cell (NSCLC) treatment with 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid significantly inhibited epithelial growth factor (EGF)-induced chemotaxis and chemokinesis of cancer cells in NSCLC cells. The defect in chemotaxis is likely due to the impairment in EGF-induced cofilin phosphorylation and actin polymerization. Furthermore, EGF-induced cell adhesion, which is another key factor in cell migration, was also inhibited. Taken together, these results suggest that 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid is a potent inhibitor of cancer cell chemotaxis and may be developed into a novel antimetastasis drug.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nitrobenzoates / chemistry
  • Nitrobenzoates / pharmacology*
  • Polymerization / drug effects

Substances

  • 4-methyl-3-nitrobenzoic acid
  • Actins
  • Nitrobenzoates
  • Epidermal Growth Factor