Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40596939›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Excavatolide C has oxidative-stress-dependent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against breast cancer cells.

Jun-Ping Shiau, Che-Wei Yang, Wangta Liu, Szu-Yin Yu, Chia-Hung Yen, Fang-Rong Chang, Jyh-Horng Sheu, Hsueh-Wei Chang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. A Pyrone Glucoside fromBiomolecules · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jun-Ping Shiau *Division of Breast Oncology and Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
Che-Wei Yang *Graduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
Wangta LiuDepartment of Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
Szu-Yin YuGraduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
Chia-Hung YenGraduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
Fang-Rong ChangGraduate Institute of Natural Products, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan.
Jyh-Horng SheuDepartment of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan. sheu@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
Hsueh-Wei ChangCenter for Cancer Research and Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708, Taiwan. changhw@kmu.edu.tw.

Funding

Kaohsiung Medical University KMU-DK(A)113003 and KMU-TB114009Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital KMUH108-8M37, KMUH109-9M35, and KMUH111-1M32Kaohsiung Medical University Research Center KMU-TC113A04Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan MOST 111-2320-B-037-015-MY3National Sun Yat-sen University-KMU Joint Research Project #NSYSUKMU 112-P06
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTriple negative breast cancer (TNBC) shows a poor response to targeted therapy drugs for non-triple-negative breast cancer (non-TNBC). Developing anticancer drugs that are effective for both TNBC and non-TNBC cells is necessary. The marine coral Briareum excavatum-derived excavatolide C (EXCC) exhibits anti-bladder cancer cell proliferation. However, the anti-breast cancer properties and drug safety of are unclear.

methodsThis study aimed to evaluate the antiproliferative effect and mechanisms (oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis) caused by EXCC on TNBC and non-TNBC cells in parallel with normal cells.

resultsEXCC demonstrated higher antiproliferative effects in various breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, Hs578t, MDA-MB-468, and MCF7) than in normal breast cell lines (H184B5F5/M10; M10) as detected in a 48 h ATP assay. MDA-MB-231 and MCF7 were chosen as representative TNBC and non-TNBC cells, respectively, to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. EXCC highly upregulated reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide, reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential, and downregulated glutathione in breast cancer compared with normal cells. These EXCC-triggered antiproliferative and oxidative stress changes were attenuated by the ROS inhibitor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Consistently, in breast cancer cells, EXCC triggered subG1 accumulation, apoptosis, caspase activation, and DNA damage (γH2AX and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine), all of which were alleviated by NAC.

conclusionOverall, the antiproliferative effects and molecular mechanisms caused by EXCC in breast cancer treatment depend on oxidative stress. Without cytotoxicity to normal cells, EXCC is a potential antiproliferative marine natural product for TNBC and non-TNBC cells.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsApoptosisBreast NeoplasmsMacrolidesOxidative StressTriple Negative Breast NeoplasmsAnimalsAnthozoaCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationDNA DamageFemaleHumansMCF-7 CellsMembrane Potential, MitochondrialReactive Oxygen SpeciesAntineoplastic AgentsMacrolidesReactive Oxygen SpeciesApoptosisBreast cancerDiterpenesDNA damageOxidative stressSoft coral

Identifiers

PMID40596939
PMCPMC12211348

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.