Downregulation of Mcl-1 by daunorubicin pretreatment reverses resistance of breast cancer cells to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand

The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising cancer therapeutic agent. However, tumor cells often develop resistance to TRAIL, limiting its therapeutic potential. To study the mechanism underlying TRAIL-resistance in breast cancer cells, we performed a high-throughput compound screen in MCF-7 cells. We identified daunorubicin as a potent sensitizer of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Daunorubicin in combination with subtoxic concentrations of recombinant human TRAIL induced massive apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This combination was effective in TRAIL-resistant MDA-MB-231 and T47D breast cancer cells. By immunoblotting, we found that daunorubicin treatment induced loss of the anti-apoptotic protein, Mcl-1, in breast cancer cells. RNA interference experiments revealed that reduced expression of Mcl-1 sensitized MCF-7 cells to TRAIL. Together, these data suggest that Mcl-1 is a major contributor to TRAIL-resistance in breast cancer cells, and that reduction of Mcl-1 protein levels using DNA damaging agents is a promising approach for cancer therapy.

► Apoptotic cell death is induced by combination of daunorubicin with TRAIL.
► Daunorubicin downregulates Mcl-1 protein in breast cancer cells.
► Mcl-1 is a critical mediator of TRAIL-induced cell death in breast cancer cells.