Middle East Journal of Cancer

α -tocopherol Suppresses Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Associated Cellular and Cytoskeletal Regulators Mechanisms during Cetuximab Treatment in Breast Cancer

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

Mehmet Aytar 1
Demet Yalcin 1
Ozge Cevik 2

1 ADU-Science and Technology Application and Research Center, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey

2 Department of Medicinal Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey

10.30476/mejc.2026.111779.2446
Abstract
Background: The cellular interactions between cetuximab and antioxidant compounds such as α-tocopherol remain unclear. The present study investigated the effects of their combined treatment on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) associated cytoskeletal regulators in breast cancer cells.
Method: In this in-vitro experimental study, MCF-7 cells were treated with cetuximab and/or α-tocopherol, and the effects of the treatments were evaluated at 72 h and 7 days. Cell proliferation and colony-forming potential were assessed, and the levels of Vav-1, Rac-1, and F-actin proteins were determined. Actin-associated protein distribution was further evaluated by SDS-PAGE analysis of ultracentrifugation-derived F-actin- and G-actin-enriched cellular fractions. Statistical comparisons were performed using ANOVA.
Results: Combined treatment with cetuximab (250 µg/mL) and α-tocopherol (50 µM) significantly inhibited cell proliferation at 24, 48, and 72 h and suppressed colony formation after 7 days compared with the control and single-treatment groups. The combined treatment also significantly reduced Vav-1 and Rac-1 protein levels and altered F-actin organization. Furthermore, the combination treatment was associated with reduced actin-associated protein signals in the F-actin-enriched fraction and suppressed the acquisition of a mesenchymal-like phenotype in MCF-7 cells.
Conclusion: Beyond its antioxidant capacity, α-tocopherol modulates intracellular signaling pathways involved in cancer inhibition. Despite its therapeutic potential, its dietary administration in oncology remains controversial. The combined treatment with cetuximab and α-tocopherol altered EMT signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics in MCF-7 cells, suggesting a potential role in modulating cellular processes associated with cancer progression.

Highlights

Mehmet Aytar (google scholar)

Ozge Cevik (google scholar)

Keywords

alpha-tocopherol
Cetuximab
MCF-7
Breast neoplasms
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Subjects

Please cite this article as: Aytar M, Yalcin D, Cevik O. α -tocopherol suppresses epithelial–mesenchymal transition associated cellular and cytoskeletal regulators mechanisms during cetuximab treatment in breast cancer. Middle East J Cancer. 2026: in press. doi: 10.30476/mejc.2026.111779.2446.

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Middle East Journal of Cancer

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 01 July 2027

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