Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common malignant
tumor with a high probability of
metastasis. Thus, it is urgently necessary to develop new drugs that inhibit
tumor metastasis. Bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitors targeting
bromodomain-containing proteins are currently recognized as novel
anticancer agents. Herein, we explored the effects of
i-BET151, a BET bromodomain inhibitor, on OC
metastasis and on antitumor immunity. Our experiments showed that
i-BET151 decreased the viability and induced apoptosis, senescence, and cell cycle arrest of
cancer cells. In addition, phosphorylated-Stat3 (Tyr705) amounts OC cell invasion and migration, and expression of
matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9 and MMP-2) decreased. Moreover,
tumor metastasis in the abdomen of the OC model was inhibited by
i-BET151. Notably, i-BET151-promoted immunogenic cell death (ICD) was confirmed in vivo; it was demonstrated with ICD markers. Furthermore, treatment with
i-BET151 promoted infiltration by CD8+ T cells as well as the death of immunogenic
tumor cells. In summary,
tumor metastasis may be suppressed by
i-BET151 via the Stat3 pathway; this approach could be used as a strategy for the treatment of OC.