[Effect of gefitinib on the migration of triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 cells].

Objective To investigate the effect of gefitinib on the migration of triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 ceils. Methods Gefitinib was used in concentrations of 0 μmol/L, 0. 1 μmol/L, 1 /μmol/L, 10 /μmol/L and 20 /μmol/L, respectively. Phosphorylation levels of EGFR and Akt were analyzed by Western blot. The capability of migration was measured by scratch test and Boyden chamber assay. Microfilaments （cell skeleton ） remolding and polarization were evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Results Comparing with the control group （0 μmol/L gefitinib ）, gefitinib effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of EGFR and its downstream key proteins, and the effect displayed an obvious dose-effect relationship. At 24 hours after wound scratch, the cell migration distance of each group with 0, 0. I, 1, 10, 20μmol/L gefitinib was （36.3±4.0）μm, （30.3±3.8）μm, （26.8±3.3） μm, （ 17.0±2.6） μm, and （ 11.0±2.5 ） μm, respectively. At 3.5 hours after Boyden chamber assay, the cell count of each group with 0, 0.1, 1, 10, 20 μmol/L gefitinib was 69.2±7.0, 51.8±7.5, 43.8±8.7, 30.6±4.8, and 28.4±3.4, respectively. Compared with the control group （0 μmol/L gefitinib）, gefitinib could significantly prolong the wound-healing time and decrease the migrating cell count （ P 〈 O. 05 ）, and significantly inhibit the lamellipodium formation, cell skeleton remolding and changes of the cytoskeleton polarization. Conclusions Gefitinib can reduce the migration capacity of triple-negative breast cancer cells through inhibiting phosphorylation of EGFR/PI3K/Akt pathway, suppressing the cell skeleton （ microfilaments） remolding and changes of its polarization. Key words: Breast neoplasms;  Epidermal growth factor reeptor;  Gefitinib;  Cell movement