Loss-of-function mutations in the Breast Cancer Susceptibility
Gene (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are often detected in patients with breast
cancer. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) plays a key role in
the repair of DNA strand breaks, and PARP inhibitors have been shown
to induce highly selective killing of BRCA1/2-deficient tumor cells,
a mechanism termed synthetic lethality. In our previous study, a novel
PARP1 inhibitor(E)-2-(2,3-dibromo-4,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)-N-(4-fluorophenyl) hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (4F-DDC)was
synthesized, which significantly inhibited PARP1 activity with an
IC50 value of 82 ± 9 nM. The current study aimed to
explore the mechanism(s) underlying the antitumor activity of 4F-DDC
under in vivo and in vitro conditions.
4F-DDC was found to selectively inhibit the proliferation of BRCA
mutant cells, with highly potent effects on HCC-1937 (BRCA1–/–) cells. Furthermore, 4F-DDC was found to induce apoptosis and G2/M
cell cycle arrest in HCC-1937 cells. Interestingly, immunofluorescence
and Western blot results showed that 4F-DDC induced DNA double strand
breaks and further activated the cGAS–STING pathway in HCC-1937
cells. In vivo analysis results revealed that 4F-DDC
inhibited the growth of HCC-1937-derived tumor xenografts, possibly via the induction of DNA damage and activation of the cGAS–STING
pathway. In summary, the current study provides a new perspective
on the antitumor mechanism of PARP inhibitors and showcases the therapeutic
potential of 4F-DDC in the treatment of breast cancer.