Parthenolide induces autophagy and apoptosis of breast cancer cells associated with the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is an aggressive malignancy that is unresponsive to conventional therapies. Parthenolide has been demonstrated to have anticancer effects against various types of cancer, including breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of parthenolide in human breast cancer. Methods: Autophagy was measured through immunofluorescence and western blotting. DAPI staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to measure apoptosis. Western blot analysis was used to investigate the mechanism of autophagy induced by parthenolide on the expression levels of phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K), AKT, phosphorylated (p‑) AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), ATG13 and ATG14. Furthermore, apoptosis was confirmed via western blot analysis. Conclusion: Parthenolide inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation and induces autophagy and apoptosis, and suggested that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway serves an important role in autophagy and apoptosis.