Caffeine Modulates Cell Death and Telomerase Activity in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells

Amira, Qanita Hana; Irdianto, Shadira Anindieta; Fadilah, Fadilah; Lestari, Retno; Fadhillah, Fadhillah; Bowolaksono, Anom; Dwiranti, Astari

doi:10.22088/IJMCM.BUMS.14.2.606

Volume 14, Issue 2 (Int J Mol Cell Med 2025) Int J Mol Cell Med 2025, 14(2): 606-619 | Back to browse issues page

‎ 10.22088/IJMCM.BUMS.14.2.606

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Amira Q H, Irdianto S A, Fadilah F, Lestari R, Fadhillah F, Bowolaksono A et al . Caffeine Modulates Cell Death and Telomerase Activity in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Cell Med 2025; 14 (2) :606-619
URL: http://ijmcmed.org/article-1-2555-en.html

Caffeine Modulates Cell Death and Telomerase Activity in Triple-negative Breast Cancer Cells

Qanita Hana Amira¹

, Shadira Anindieta Irdianto¹

, Fadilah Fadilah²

, Retno Lestari³

, Fadhillah Fadhillah³

, Anom Bowolaksono³

, Astari Dwiranti⁴

1- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok Campus, Depok, 16424, Indonesia.
2- Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, 10440, Indonesia
3- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Biological System Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok Campus, Depok, 16424, Indonesia.
4- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms in Biological System Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Indonesia, Depok Campus, Depok, 16424, Indonesia; (2) Institute for Advanced Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (INA-SMART), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia. & Institute for Advanced Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (INA-SMART), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia. , astari.dwiranti@sci.ui.ac.id

Abstract: (257 Views)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype defined by the lack of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and HER2 expression, resulting in limited therapeutic options. Given this challenge, this study explores caffeine, a widely consumed stimulant, as a potential anticancer agent, particularly for TNBC. While caffeine has demonstrated promising anticancer effects in gastric cancer, its effects on TNBC cells remain unexplored. This study investigates the impact of caffeine concentrations (10, 15, and 20 mM) on cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, ultrastructure, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, BCL2, CASP8) and telomerase activity (hTERT) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Our findings showed that caffeine significantly reduces cell viability and induces early apoptosis with a dose-dependent effect. Morphological changes consistent with early apoptosis were observed, and an increased BAX/BCL2 ratio indicated the activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Additionally, caffeine exhibited upregulation of hTERT mRNA expression, suggesting complex interactions with telomerase activity. These results underscore the multifaceted effects of caffeine on TNBC cells, highlighting its potential not only as an apoptosis inducer but also as a modulator of telomerase activity. Given its accessibility, low toxicity, and established safety profile, caffeine presents an exciting avenue for further research as a complementary or standalone therapeutic strategy for TNBC.

Keywords: apoptosis, caffeine, MDA-MB-231, telomerase, ultrastructure

Full-Text [PDF 1325 kb] (128 Downloads)

Type of Study: Original Article | Subject: Cancer
Received: 2025/02/19 | Accepted: 2025/05/10 | Published: 2025/04/12