Exploring the role of estrogens and steroid sulfatase inhibition in platinum resistance, proliferation, migration, and cell death in high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells - 20/07/25
, Barry V.L. Potter b
, Tea Lanišnik Rižner a, ⁎ 
Abstract |
The high mortality rate associated with chemoresistance in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) underscores the urgent need for effective treatment strategies. This study explores the role of estrogens in six HGSOC cell lines differing in carboplatin sensitivity, estrogen receptor expression, and the ability to convert estrone sulfate (E1S) into active estrogens. We assessed the effects of the steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitor STX64 and the estrogen agonists equilin (EQ) and ethinylestradiol (EE2) on cell viability, cell death and migration, as well as their interaction with carboplatin. STX64 IC50 values for cell viability varied widely—from 18.21 µM (COV362) to over 90 µM in most lines. Significant viability reductions generally occurred at ≥ 50 µM, except in Kuramochi cells that were sensitive at 10 µM, and in OVSAHO and OVCAR-4 that responded at ≥ 0.01 µM. At higher concentrations, STX64 reduced viability in all cell lines, including ERα-negative cells. Combination treatment outcomes varied: STX64 reduced carboplatin efficacy in OVSAHO and COV362 but enhanced it in Caov-3. EQ and EE2 decreased viability in several cell lines, except in OVSAHO, where EQ promoted proliferation. Both enhanced the antimigratory effects of carboplatin in cell lines with moderate ESR1:ESR2 ratios. Moreover, STX64 induced apoptosis, carboplatin triggered necrosis, and E1S potentiated both, indicating distinct cell death mechanisms. These findings emphasize the role of estrogen signaling in modulating the chemotherapy response in HGSOC. Although STX64 may not consistently enhance carboplatin effects, its strong pro-apoptotic activity and selective efficacy in ER-positive cells, highlight its promise as a potential standalone or maintenance therapy.
El texto completo de este artículo está disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Highlights |
• | STX64/Irosustat inhibits proliferation at nanomolar concentrations in ERα-positive HGSOC cells. |
• | At higher micromolar concentrations STX64/Irosustat induces apoptosis, also in ERα-negative cells. |
• | STX64 shows limited synergy with carboplatin and may be more effective as a standalone or maintenance therapy in ER+ HGSOC. |
• | The anti-proliferative activity of equilin and ethinylestradiol is associated with the ESR1:ESR2 expression ratio. |
• | Estrone sulfate, equilin, and ethinylestradiol potentiate carboplatin’s anti-migratory effects in selected HGSOC models. |
Keywords : high-grade serous ovarian cancer, estrogens, platinum resistance, proliferation, migration, STX64/Irosustat
Chemical Compounds Studied in this Article : Estrone-3-sulfate (PubChem CID: 20056857), Carboplatin (PubChem CID: 10339178), STX64 (Irosustat) (PubChem CID: 5287541), Ethinyl estradiol (PubChem CID: 5991), Equilin (PubChem CID: 223368)
Esquema
Vol 189
Artículo 118278- août 2025 Regresar al númeroBienvenido a EM-consulte, la referencia de los profesionales de la salud.
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