Abacavir enhances the efficacy of doxorubicin via inhibition of histone demethylase KDM5B in breast cancer

KDM5B, a lysine-specific histone demethylase, is widely upregulated in breast cancer. The current study investigated the role of KDM5B in breast cancer and explored the repurposing potential of the antiviral drug abacavir (ABC). The cytotoxic effects and the effect of ABC sensitization on doxorubicin (DOX) efficacy were evaluated using 2-D and 3-D cell culture models. KDM5B expression was elevated in breast cancer tissues compared to normal breast tissues. In vitro studies demonstrated that ABC treatment reduced KDM5B expression in breast cancer cells and increased their sensitivity towards DOX. ABC induced late apoptosis and S-phase arrest, while the ABC + DOX combination led to S/G2 phase arrest, late apoptosis, and cell death. Data generated from patient-derived breast tumoroids corroborated the 2-D cell culture-based findings. Additionally, molecular docking studies indicated that the active drug metabolite carbovir triphosphate (CBV-TP) could interact with the DNA polymerase β-DNA complex, suggesting its potential mechanism to be incorporated into the DNA synthesis cycle, leading to cell cycle arrest in tumor cells. Our findings highlight the repurposing potential of ABC to target KDM5B in breast cancer. This approach enhanced the efficacy of DOX, which could allow further dose reduction and reduced side effects, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.