Lidocaine prevents breast cancer growth by targeting neuronatin to inhibit nerve fibers formation

Lidocaine has been shown to inhibit the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer, but mechanism still remains unclear. This study explored relationship between lidocaine circulating seeding cancer cells from perspective nerve fiber formation. The cell lines MDA-MB-231 4T1 were subcutaneously inoculated in mice simulate tumor self-seeding by cells. was used treat these growth observed. Silver staining performed observe distribution fibers tumor-bearing tissues, immunohistochemical analysis expression levels nerve-related proteins. results showed that treatment effectively inhibited formation, down-regulated protein gene product 9.5, neurofilament, factor (NGF), neuronatin (Nnat). Overexpression NGF Nnat both could reverse therapeutic effects lidocaine. These suggest effect on inhibiting may be achieved targeting Nnat, regulating production NGFs cells, subsequently formation fibers.