Imipramine-induced Apoptosis and Metastasis Inhibition in Human Bladder Cancer T24 Cells Through EGFR/ERK/NF-κB Pathway Suppression.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Bladder cancer is a prevalent malignancy, ranging from superficial forms to more aggressive types that invade the muscle and require extensive treatment. Imipramine, traditionally used as an antidepressant, has shown potential as an anti-cancer agent.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this study, human bladder cancer T24 cells were treated with varying concentrations of imipramine to evaluate its cytotoxic and apoptotic effects.

RESULTS

Imipramine induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner, significantly increasing apoptosis as shown by Annexin-V/PI staining and TUNEL assay. The drug also up-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and down-regulated the anti-apoptotic factor XIAP. Moreover, imipramine activated both extrinsic/intrinsic apoptotic pathways, evidenced by the increased expression of Fas, FasL, cleaved caspase-8, and cleaved caspase-9, along with mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production. Imipramine inhibited the migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells, likely through the down-regulation of metastasis-related proteins and suppression of the EGFR/ERK/NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Imipramine could be a promising therapeutic agent for bladder cancer.