Itraconazole Repolarizes Tumor-associated Macrophages and Suppresses Cervical Cancer Cell Growth

Abstract

Background/Aim: Itraconazole (ITZ), an antifungal agent, has been reported to have anti-tumor effects in patients with multiple cancer types. We investigated the involvement of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in its tumor-agnostic mechanism. Materials and Methods: M1 and M2 macrophages were established from human monocyte leukemia cell line (THP-1) and their phenotypes were determined morphologically. Cell membrane antigens and secreted proteins were evaluated by western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The proteomic profiling of cells was done by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and analyzed. Viability of cervical cancer cells (CaSki) was evaluated after addition of the supernatant of M2 macrophages and during co-culture with M2 macrophages, with or without 10⁻⁵ M ITZ. Results: Co-culture of M1 macrophages inhibited the proliferation of CaSki cells (p=0.012), while that of M2 macrophages promoted their proliferation (p<0.0001). After treatment of M2 macrophages with ITZ for 24 h, they changed into M1-like shape with decreased expression of cluster of differentiation 163 (CD163) and chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18). The M1-like shape was maintained for 7 weeks of ITZ treatment and reverted to original after ITZ removal. Proteomic analysis of ITZ treated-M2 macrophages also demonstrated M1-like signature including the elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related proteins. After treatment with ITZ, both the supernatant of the M2 macrophages and the co-culture with M2 macrophages significantly inhibited the proliferation of CaSki cells (each, p<0.0001). Conclusion: ITZ repolarized M2 macrophages to M1 type and suppressed cervical cancer cell growth demonstrating TAM-mediated anti-cancer activity of ITZ.