Anticancer potential of (−)-epicatechin in atriple-negative mammary gland model
Objectives The main aim of this work was to analyse the potential tumour growth inhibition effects
of (−)-epicatechin (EC). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive form of cancer charac-
terized by the absence of progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth
factor receptor 2. Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used for its anti-tumour activity. EC belongs to the
flavanol subfamily and is a candidate molecule for the adjuvant treatment of cancer due to its
antiproliferative activities.
Methods Evaluation of EC effects and pathways involved in a model of TNBC.
Key findings EC inhibited tumour growth as efficiently as DOX (inhibition rates of 74% and 79% for
EC and DOX, respectively). The evaluation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase
(AMPK) and Akt phosphorylation and mTOR expression indicates that EC modulates these path-
ways, resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, we found an increase in the sur-
vival of EC-treated animals compared with control-treated animals. This effect was similar to the
effects induced by DOX (survival rates of 44% and 30% for EC and DOX, respectively).
Conclusion EC has antiproliferative properties and increases survival in a model of TNBC. These ef-
fects may occur through the modulation of deregulated AMPK and Akt/mTOR signalling pathways.