The combination of IDO and AHR blockers reduces the migration and clonogenicity of breast cancer cells.

ABSTRACT

The indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme causes immunosuppressive consequences in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In addition, the role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the TME is under discussion. The current study evaluated the role of the IDO and AHR blockers on cell migration, clonogenic, and IDO expression of murine breast cancer cells. The cell migration and clonogenic abilities of breast cancer cells are evaluated by wound­healing assay (cell migration assay) and Colony formation assay (clonogenic assay). Also, flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the IDO-positive breast cancer cells. The results showed that treating cells with a combination of IDO and AHR blockers dramatically reduced breast cancer cells' migration and clonogenic capacities. Treating cells with only AHR blockade suppressed the clonogenic rate. Since both IDO and AHR are involved in their complex molecular networks, blocking both IDO and AHR might cause alterations in their molecular networks resulting in diminishing the migration and clonogenic abilities of breast cancer cells. However, further investigations are required to confirm our findings within in vivo models as a novel therapy for breast cancer.