Mifepristone (MIF), a common abortion drug, has been found to have an anti-tumor effect in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most malignant subtype of breast cancer.
According to Liu Rong of the Kunming Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, MIF suppresses tumor growth of TNBC cells in mice and reduces the number of TNBC cancer stem cells by reducing KLF5, a protein that promotes proliferation and survival of cancer cells.
Liu said MIF suppresses cancer stem cells by causing a micro RNA molecule to suppress KLF5.
"Our findings may provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of TNBC," Liu said.
