Streptomyces Pigment Shows Promise Against Metastatic Breast Cancer

Researchers have identified a yellow pigment, OR3, from a novel Streptomyces coelicolor strain (JUACT03) that exhibits potent anticancer properties against metastatic breast cancer cells. The study, published on January 17, 2025, highlights OR3's ability to inhibit the growth of aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. Experiments showed that OR3 induces apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells by activating caspase-9 and disrupting the cell cycle. Notably, OR3 also blocked cancer cell migration, a crucial step in metastasis. In vivo studies using xenograft models demonstrated that OR3 reduced tumor volume in mice without causing toxicity. Chemical analysis identified OR3 as containing a prodigiosin-like compound, suggesting a complex mechanism of action. These findings suggest that OR3 could be a promising candidate for developing safer and more effective treatments for metastatic breast cancer.