Breast cancer cell survival signal is affected by bergapten combined with an ultraviolet irradiation

In this study we have reported that bergapten (B) and bergapten plus UV (PUVA) are able to significantly affect MCF-7, ZR-75 and SKBR-3 breast cancer cell proliferations. B induced a lowering of PI3K/AKT survival signal in MCF-7 cells even in presence of IGF-I stimulation. Furthermore, B and in a higher extent, PUVA up-regulated the p53 mRNA and the protein content. An increased co-association between p21 WAF and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) has been observed in PUVA-treated MCF-7 cells, thus inhibiting DNA replication. These results highlight how B, and its photoactivated compound, exert antiproliferative effects and induce apoptotic responses in breast cancer cells.