Ivermectin induces PAK1-mediated cytostatic autophagy in breast cancer

摘要: Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum antiparasitic drug that has recently been demonstrated to exhibit potent anticancer activity against colon cancer, ovarian melanoma and leukemia. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect remains poorly understood. We found ivermectin markedly inhibits growth of breast cancer cells by stimulating cytostatic macroautophagy/autophagy in vitro vivo. AKT-MTOR signaling pathway promoting ubiquitination-mediated degradation PAK1 (p21 [RAC1] activated kinase 1), leading increased autophagic flux. Together, our work unravels underpinning ivermectin-induced autophagy characterizes as potential therapeutic option for treatment.