A comprehensive study of novel pregnenolone-isoxazole hybrids as selective inducers of mitochondrial apoptosis in breast cancer cells

RSC Medicinal Chemistry 2026 Open access

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Authors: Victoria Malakhova, Alexander Mikhailovich Scherbakov, Diana I. Salnikova, Alvina Khamidullina, Danila Vladimirovich Sorokin, Dmitry Alekseevich Vasilenko, E. I. Chernoburova, Elena Borisovna Averina, Igor V. Zavarzin, Yulia Volkova
DOI: 10.1039/d6md00076b
Cited by: 1
References: 98

Abstract

values of 2.8 μM or lower against MCF7, MCF7/HT2, MDA-MB-231, and HCC1954 breast cancer cell lines under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. This compound induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Modulation of key proliferation pathways, including the PI3K/Akt and ERK cascades, further supported the antiproliferative potential of these derivatives. Considering its high cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity in breast cancer cells, the lead compound has been identified as a promising candidate for further development.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Estrogen and related hormone effects Cancer therapeutics and mechanisms Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and Effects

Publication details

Journal / source
RSC Medicinal Chemistry
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
17
Issue
6
Pages
2963–2983
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN