Microscopic view of cancer cells being neutralized by antibiotic fluid.

Nigericin: A Promising Weapon Against Ovarian Cancer?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research spotlights nigericin's potential to halt ovarian cancer metastasis by disrupting cell processes and signaling pathways."

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) stands as one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies, primarily due to its high rates of metastasis and recurrence, often fueled by resistance to standard treatments like cisplatin. This alarming reality underscores the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies that can effectively combat this disease and improve patient outcomes.

In a recent study, researchers explored the potential of nigericin, a polyether antibiotic typically used in poultry, as a novel treatment for EOC. Their findings reveal that nigericin exhibits strong cytotoxic effects against ovarian cancer cell lines, suggesting its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and induce cell death. But that's not all – the study delves into the mechanisms by which nigericin may suppress metastasis, offering a beacon of hope for patients facing advanced stages of this disease.

This article unpacks the groundbreaking research on nigericin and its impact on ovarian cancer. We'll explore how it affects cancer cell cycles, promotes apoptosis (cell death), and disrupts the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) – a critical process in cancer metastasis. Furthermore, we'll examine its influence on key signaling pathways, particularly the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and its potential to target cancer stem cells. By understanding these mechanisms, we can better grasp the therapeutic potential of nigericin in the fight against ovarian cancer.

How Does Nigericin Stop Ovarian Cancer Cells?

Microscopic view of cancer cells being neutralized by antibiotic fluid.

The study reveals that nigericin interferes with several key processes that drive ovarian cancer progression:

Cell Cycle Arrest: Nigericin halts the division of cancer cells by arresting them in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. This prevents them from multiplying uncontrollably.
Apoptosis Promotion: Nigericin triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in ovarian cancer cells. By upregulating proteins like Bax and downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2, nigericin encourages cancer cells to self-destruct.
Inhibition of Migration and Invasion: A critical aspect of cancer metastasis is the ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade surrounding tissues. Nigericin significantly reduces this ability, preventing cancer cells from spreading to distant sites.

Perhaps most interestingly, nigericin's anti-metastatic effects appear to be mediated, at least in part, through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This pathway is often hyperactive in cancer cells and promotes EMT, the process by which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, gaining migratory and invasive properties. Nigericin suppresses this pathway, reducing the expression of key proteins involved in EMT and effectively reversing the process.

Nigericin: A Promising Future for Ovarian Cancer Therapy?

The findings of this study suggest that nigericin holds significant promise as a novel therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer, particularly in combating metastasis. By targeting multiple key processes involved in cancer progression, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, EMT, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, nigericin offers a multifaceted approach to treatment.

Furthermore, the study's exploration of nigericin's effects on cancer stem cells (CSCs) adds another layer of intrigue. CSCs are a small population of cancer cells that possess stem cell-like properties, enabling them to self-renew and drive tumor growth and recurrence. Nigericin's ability to reduce the SP cell pool (a marker for CSCs) suggests its potential to target these resilient cells, potentially preventing relapse and improving long-term outcomes.

While these findings are encouraging, it's crucial to acknowledge that this research is still in its early stages. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action, optimize dosing strategies, and evaluate the safety and efficacy of nigericin in preclinical and clinical settings. However, the potential of nigericin to revolutionize ovarian cancer treatment is undeniable, offering a new avenue of hope for patients battling this devastating disease.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1134/s0006297917080089, Alternate LINK

Title: Nigericin Inhibits Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Metastasis By Suppressing The Cell Cycle And Epithelial−Mesenchymal Transition

Subject: Biochemistry

Journal: Biochemistry (Moscow)

Publisher: Pleiades Publishing Ltd

Authors: Wen Wang, Yan Zhao, Shujuan Yao, Xiujuan Cui, Wenying Pan, Wenqian Huang, Jiangang Gao, Taotao Dong, Shiqian Zhang

Published: 2017-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does nigericin affect cancer cell growth and death?

Nigericin, a polyether antibiotic, has shown promise in inhibiting ovarian cancer cell growth and promoting cell death. It achieves this by arresting cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase, preventing them from multiplying, and by triggering apoptosis. Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a crucial mechanism for eliminating cancerous cells, and nigericin's ability to induce it is significant in the context of ovarian cancer treatment.

Why is nigericin's impact on metastasis so important?

Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, is a major challenge in treating Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC). Nigericin has shown the ability to inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion, potentially preventing the spread of cancer cells. This is particularly important because EOC often has high rates of metastasis, contributing to poor patient outcomes. By suppressing the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and related pathways, nigericin may prevent cancer cells from gaining migratory and invasive properties, thus limiting metastasis.

What is the significance of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in relation to nigericin?

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is often hyperactive in cancer cells and plays a critical role in promoting the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and metastasis. Nigericin's ability to suppress this pathway is significant because it reduces the expression of key proteins involved in EMT, potentially reversing the process. This means that nigericin can potentially shut down a critical pathway that drives cancer progression, making it a promising therapeutic target.

What specific mechanisms does nigericin use to combat ovarian cancer?

Nigericin interferes with several key processes that drive ovarian cancer progression. Firstly, it arrests the division of cancer cells by arresting them in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, preventing them from multiplying uncontrollably. Secondly, it triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in ovarian cancer cells, encouraging them to self-destruct. Finally, it reduces the ability of cancer cells to migrate and invade surrounding tissues, preventing cancer cells from spreading to distant sites.

What does this research suggest for the future of ovarian cancer treatment?

The research suggests that nigericin may become a novel therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer, particularly in combating metastasis. By targeting multiple key processes involved in cancer progression, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, EMT, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, nigericin offers a multifaceted approach to treatment. The implications of this research are significant for potentially improving outcomes for patients, especially those with advanced stages of ovarian cancer.