ArticleBMC cancer2015
Molecular mechanism of anti-cancer activity of phycocyanin in triple-negative breast cancer cells.
Article in BMC cancer, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 110 citations in OpenAlex.
- Overcoming ABT-737 resistance in triple-negative breast cancer: C-phycocyanin-mediated myeloid cell leukemia-1 downregulation enhances apoptotic sensitivity.Molecular biology reports · 2026Article
- Spirulina and Its Bioactive Compounds as Multi-Target Anticancer Agents: Mechanisms, Immune Modulation, and Translational Potential.Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Progress in the Synthesis and Application of Phycocyanin-Based Nanoparticles.Topics in current chemistry (Cham) · 2025Review
- Elevated expression of ANAPC1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma: clinical implications and mechanisms.Future science OA · 2025Article
- Article
- Comparison of Pressurized Water Extraction With Ultrasound Assisted Extraction for Isolation of Phycobiliproteins From Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina).Phytochemical analysis : PCA · 2025Article
- Breaking the bottlenecks in anti-tumor angiogenic therapy: targeting vasculogenic mimicry with natural products and traditional Chinese medicine.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Review
- C-Phycocyanin-Cisplatin Combination Targeting Redox Balance for Enhanced Efficacy Against Glioblastoma Cells.Oncology research · 2025Article
- Phycocyanin-Loaded Alginate-Based Hydrogel Synthesis and Characterization.Marine drugs · 2024Article
- Review
- Effects of the algae derivatives on performance, intestinal histomorphology, ileal microflora, and egg yolk biochemistry of laying Japanese quail.Poultry science · 2024Article
- Microalgae: A Promising Source of Bioactive Phycobiliproteins.Marine drugs · 2023Review
- Crystal structure of3 Biotech · 2023Article
- Exploring the Benefits of Phycocyanin: From Spirulina Cultivation to Its Widespread Applications.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Exploring the structural aspects and therapeutic perspectives of cyanobacterial phycobiliproteins.3 Biotech · 2022Review
- The Bioactivities of Phycocyanobilin from Spirulina.Journal of immunology research · 2022Review
- Evaluating Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Effects ofNutrients · 2021Article
- Inhibition of MMP2-PEX by a novel ester of dihydroxy cinnamic and linoleic acid from the seagrass Cymodocea serrulata.Scientific reports · 2021Article
- Phycocyanin content and nutritional profile of Arthrospira platensis from Mexico: efficient extraction process and stability evaluation of phycocyanin.BMC chemistry · 2021Article
- Phycocyanin fromLife (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundTriple-negative breast cancers represent an important clinical challenge, as these cancers do not respond to conventional endocrine therapies or other available targeted agents. Phycocyanin (PC), a natural, water soluble and non-toxic molecule is shown to have potent anti-cancer property.
methodsIn this study, we determined the efficacy of PC as an anti-neoplastic agent in vitro on a series of breast cancer cell lines. We studied effects of PC in inducing DNA damage and apoptosis through western blot and qPCR. Also, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic properties were studied by classic wound healing and vasculogenic mimicry assays.
resultsWe found that triple negative MDA-MB-231 cells were most sensitive to PC (IC50 : 5.98 ± 0.95 μM) as compared to other cells. They also showed decreased cell proliferation and reduced colony formation ability upon treatment with PC. Profile of Cell cycle analysis showed that PC caused G1 arrest which could be attributed to decreased mRNA levels of Cyclin E and CDK-2 and increased p21 levels. Mechanistic studies revealed that PC induced apoptosis as evident by increase in percentage of annexin positive cells, increase in γ-H2AX levels, and by changing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio followed by release of cytochrome C and increased Caspase 9 levels. MDA MB 231 cells treated with PC resulted in decreased cell migration and increased cell adhesive property and also showed anti-angiogenic effects. We also observed that PC suppressed cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E(2) production. All these biological effects of phycocyanin on MDA MB 231 cells could be attributed to decreased MAPK signaling pathway. We also observed that PC is non-toxic to non-malignant cells, platelets and RBC's.
conclusionTaken together, these findings demonstrate, for the first time, that PC may be a promising anti-neoplastic agent for treatment of triple negative breast cancers.
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