Resistance to nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel is mediated by ABCB1 in urothelial cancer cells

NPEPPS Is a Druggable Driver of Platinum Resistance

There is an unmet need to improve the efficacy of platinum-based cancer chemotherapy, which is used in primary and metastatic settings in many cancer types. In bladder cancer, platinum-based chemotherapy leads to better outcomes in a subset of patients when used in the neoadjuvant setting or in combination with immunotherapy for advanced disease. Despite such promising results, extending the benefits of platinum drugs to a greater number of patients is highly desirable. Using the multiomic assessment of cisplatin-responsive and -resistant human bladder cancer cell lines and whole-genome CRISPR screens, we identified puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (NPEPPS) as a driver of cisplatin resistance. NPEPPS depletion sensitized resistant bladder cancer cells to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpression of NPEPPS in sensitive cells increased cisplatin resistance. NPEPPS affected treatment response by regulating intracellular cisplatin concentrations. Patient-derived organoids (PDO) generated from bladder cancer samples before and after cisplatin-based treatment, and from patients who did not receive cisplatin, were evaluated for sensitivity to cisplatin, which was concordant with clinical response. In the PDOs, depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of NPEPPS increased cisplatin sensitivity, while NPEPPS overexpression conferred resistance. Our data present NPEPPS as a druggable driver of cisplatin resistance by regulating intracellular cisplatin concentrations.

SIGNIFICANCE

Targeting NPEPPS, which induces cisplatin resistance by controlling intracellular drug concentrations, is a potential strategy to improve patient responses to platinum-based therapies and lower treatment-associated toxicities.

Deciphering the functional role of clinical mutations in ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 ABC transporters in endometrial cancer

ATP-binding cassette transporters represent a superfamily of dynamic membrane-based proteins with diverse yet common functions such as use of ATP hydrolysis to efflux substrates across cellular membranes. Three major transporters-P-glycoprotein (P-gp or ABCB1), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1 or ABCC1), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP or ABCG2) are notoriously involved in therapy resistance in cancer patients. Despite exhaustive individual characterizations of each of these transporters, there is a lack of understanding in terms of the functional role of mutations in substrate binding and efflux, leading to drug resistance. We analyzed clinical variations reported in endometrial cancers for these transporters. For ABCB1, the majority of key mutations were present in the membrane-facing region, followed by the drug transport channel and ATP-binding regions. Similarly, for ABCG2, the majority of key mutations were located in the membrane-facing region, followed by the ATP-binding region and drug transport channel, thus highlighting the importance of membrane-mediated drug recruitment and efflux in ABCB1 and ABCG2. On the other hand, for ABCC1, the majority of key mutations were present in the inactive nucleotide-binding domain, followed by the drug transport channel and membrane-facing regions, highlighting the importance of the inactive nucleotide-binding domain in facilitating indirect drug efflux in ABCC1. The identified key mutations in endometrial cancer and mapped common mutations present across different types of cancers in ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2 will facilitate the design and discovery of inhibitors targeting unexplored structural regions of these transporters and re-engineering of these transporters to tackle chemoresistance.

Interplay between MAP kinases and tumor microenvironment: Opportunity for immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC), commonly called pancreatic cancer, is aggressive cancer usually detected at a late stage, limiting treatment options with modest clinical responses. It is projected that by 2030, PDAC will be the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Drug resistance in PDAC is common and significantly affects patients' overall survival (OS). Oncogenic KRAS mutations are nearly uniform in PDAC, affecting over 90% of patients. However, effective drugs directed to target prevalent KRAS mutants in pancreatic cancer are not in clinical practice. Accordingly, efforts are continued on identifying alternative druggable target(s) or approaches to improve patient outcomes with PDAC. In most PDAC cases, the KRAS mutations turn-on the RAF-MEK-MAPK pathways, leading to pancreatic tumorigenesis. The MAPK signaling cascade (MAP4K→MAP3K→MAP2K→MAPK) plays a central role in the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) and chemotherapy resistance. The immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer TME is another unfavorable factor affecting the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The immune checkpoint proteins (ICPs), including CTLA-4, PD-1, PD-L1, and PD-L2, are critical players in T cell dysfunction and pancreatic tumor cell growth. Here, we review the activation of MAPKs, a molecular trait of KRAS mutations and their impact on pancreatic cancer TME, chemoresistance, and expression of ICPs that could influence the clinical outcomes in PDAC patients. Therefore, understanding the interplay between MAPK pathways and TME could help to design rational therapy combining immunotherapy and MAPK inhibitors for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Assessment of spatial transcriptomics for oncology discovery

Tumor heterogeneity is a major challenge for oncology drug discovery and development. Understanding of the spatial tumor landscape is key to identifying new targets and impactful model systems. Here, we test the utility of spatial transcriptomics (ST) for oncology discovery by profiling 40 tissue sections and 80,024 capture spots across a diverse set of tissue types, sample formats, and RNA capture chemistries. We verify the accuracy and fidelity of ST by leveraging matched pathology analysis, which provides a ground truth for tissue section composition. We then use spatial data to demonstrate the capture of key tumor depth features, identifying hypoxia, necrosis, vasculature, and extracellular matrix variation. We also leverage spatial context to identify relative cell-type locations showing the anti-correlation of tumor and immune cells in syngeneic cancer models. Lastly, we demonstrate target identification approaches in clinical pancreatic adenocarcinoma samples, highlighting tumor intrinsic biomarkers and paracrine signaling.

Combinatory therapy of MRP1-targeted photoimmunotherapy and liposomal doxorubicin promotes the antitumor effect for chemoresistant small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), considered a mortal recalcitrant cancer, is a severe healthcare issue because of its poor prognosis, early metastasis, drug resistance and limited clinical treatment options. In our previous study, we established a MRP1-targeted antibody-IR700 system (Mab-IR700) for near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) which exhibited a promising therapeutic effect on drug resistant H69AR cells both in vitro and in vivo, though the tumor growth suppression effect did not last long with a single round of PIT treatment. To achieve a better anticancer effect, we have combined Mab-IR700-mediated NIR-PIT with liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®) and investigated the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity by using a H69AR/3T3 cell co-culture model in which 3T3 cells were used to mimic stromal cells. Cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated the specificity of Mab-IR700 to H69AR cells, while cytotoxicity and flow cytometry experiments confirmed that H69AR cells were doxorubicin-resistant. Compared with Mab-IR700-mediated PIT or Doxil-mediated chemotherapy, the combination therapy exhibited the best cell killing effect in vitro and superior tumor growth inhibition and survival prolongation effect in vivo. Super enhanced permeability and retention (SUPR) effect was observed in both co-culture spheroids and tumor-bearing mice. Owing to an approximately 9-fold greater accumulation of Doxil within the tumors, NIR-PIT combined with Doxil resulted in enhanced antitumor effects compared to NIR-PIT alone. This photoimmunochemotherapy is a practical strategy for the treatment of chemoresistant SCLC and should be further investigated for clinical translation.

The Effect of Nano Albumin Combined with Paclitaxel on Drug Resistance of Breast Cancer Through Regulating ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily B Member 1 (ABCB1)

The paclitaxel is a common-used chemotherapy drug and its combination with nano albumin reduces drug side effect. However, whether nab-paclitaxel affects drug resistance of breast cancer remains unclear. This study intends to discuss the mechanism of drug resistance induced by nab-paclitaxel. The drug resistance of MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel in MCF-7 cell and cell proliferation was detected by MTT along with analysis of ABCB1 expression, cell cycle, and apoptosis. There was stronger drug resistance of nab-paclitaxel in the MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel cell group through be adopted with different concentration of nab-paclitaxel at the 0th hour, 24th hour and 48th hour. There was remarkable abnormal expression of the ABCB1 in the MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel cell group. The si-ABCB1 could release the quantity of the MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel cell blocked at S period. And the si-ABCB1 could reduce the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK2 in the MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel cell notably. But the expression level of p21 was increased when there was high concentration of si-ABCB1. The si-ABCB1 could increase the quantity of the MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel cell at the later period of cell apoptosis notably. The rat’s tumor growth was delayed obviously at the MCF-7/nabpaclitaxel cell group treated by si-ABCB1. But the inhibiting effect of the MCF-7/nab-paclitaxel cell on tumor growth was less. There was stronger drug resistance of cell for the nano albumin combined with paclitaxel. The function of cell proliferation in breast cancer was restrained by the nano albumin combined with paclitaxel mainly through inducing the expression of ABCB1, adjusting the growth of cell cycle and the expression of P21/BCL-2 protein.

Albumin nanoformulations as an innovative solution to overcome doxorubicin chemoresistance

Aim: Resistance to chemotherapy is a major limiting factor that hamper the effectiveness of anticancer therapies. Doxorubicin is an antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of a wide range of cancers. However, it presents several limitations such as dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, lack of selectivity for tumor cells, and induced cell resistance. Nanotechnology represents a promising strategy to avoid these drawbacks. In this work, new albumin-based nanoparticles were formulated for the intracellular delivery of doxorubicin with the aim to overcome cancer drug resistance.

Methods: Glycol chitosan-coated and uncoated albumin nanoparticles were prepared with a tuned coacervation method. The nanoformulations were in vitro characterized evaluating the physicochemical parameters, morphology, and in vitro release kinetics. Biological assays were performed on A2780res and EMT6 cells from human ovarian carcinoma and mouse mammary cell lines resistant for doxorubicin, respectively.

Results: Cell viability assays showed that nanoparticles have higher cytotoxicity than the free drug. Moreover, at low concentrations, both doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles inhibited the cell colony formation in a greater extent than drug solution. In addition, the cell uptake of the different formulations was investigated by confocal microscopy and by the HPLC determination of doxorubicin intracellular accumulation. The nanoparticles were rapidly internalized in greater extent compared to the free drug.

Conclusion: Based on these results, doxorubicin-loaded albumin nanoparticles might represent a novel platform to overcome the mechanism of drug resistance in cancer cell lines and improve the drug efficacy.

Overexpressed ITGA2 contributes to paclitaxel resistance by ovarian cancer cells through the activation of the AKT/FoxO1 pathway

Ovarian cancer is one of the most malignant tumors of the female reproductive system, with high invasiveness. The disease is a severe threat to women's health. The ITGA2 gene, which codes for integrin subunit α2, is involved in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Although previous studies have shown that ITGA2 increases in ovarian cancer, the specific molecular mechanism of how ITGA2 promotes ovarian cancer proliferation and metastasis is still unclear. In this study, we confirmed that ITGA2 was elevated in ovarian cancer, which led to poor prognosis and survival. Overexpressed ITGA2 promoted the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. We also found that ITGA2 regulated the phosphorylation of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) by mediating AKT phosphorylation, which provided a reasonable explanation for ITGA2's role in ovarian cancer's resistance to albumin paclitaxel. In summary, ITGA2 could be used as a new therapeutic target and prognostic indicator in ovarian cancer.

Incorporation of doxorubicin in different polymer nanoparticles and their anticancer activity

Background: Nanoparticles are under investigation as carrier systems for anticancer drugs. The expression of efflux transporters such as the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCB1 is an important resistance mechanism in therapy-refractory cancer cells. Drug encapsulation into nanoparticles has been shown to bypass efflux-mediated drug resistance, but there are also conflicting results. To investigate whether easy-to-prepare nanoparticles made of well-tolerated polymers may circumvent transporter-mediated drug efflux, we prepared poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and PEGylated PLGA (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles loaded with the ABCB1 substrate doxorubicin by solvent displacement and emulsion diffusion approaches and assessed their anticancer efficiency in neuroblastoma cells, including ABCB1-expressing cell lines, in comparison to doxorubicin solution. Results: The resulting nanoparticles covered a size range between 73 and 246 nm. PLGA-PEG nanoparticle preparation by solvent displacement led to the smallest nanoparticles. In PLGA nanoparticles, the drug load could be optimised using solvent displacement at pH 7 reaching 53 µg doxorubicin/mg nanoparticle. These PLGA nanoparticles displayed sustained doxorubicin release kinetics compared to the more burst-like kinetics of the other preparations. In neuroblastoma cells, doxorubicin-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles (presumably due to their small size) and PLGA nanoparticles prepared by solvent displacement at pH 7 (presumably due to their high drug load and superior drug release kinetics) exerted the strongest anticancer effects. However, nanoparticle-encapsulated doxorubicin did not display increased efficacy in ABCB1-expressing cells relative to doxorubicin solution. Conclusion: Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles made by different methods from different materials displayed substantial discrepancies in their anticancer activity at the cellular level. Optimised preparation methods resulted in PLGA nanoparticles characterised by increased drug load, controlled drug release, and high anticancer efficacy. The design of drug-loaded nanoparticles with optimised anticancer activity at the cellular level is an important step in the development of improved nanoparticle preparations for anticancer therapy. Further research is required to understand under which circumstances nanoparticles can be used to overcome efflux-mediated resistance in cancer cells.

CCL20 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance by Regulating ABCB1 Expression

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of prevalent tumors and this study aimed to explore CCL20's effects on doxorubicin resistance of OC and related mechanisms. Doxorubicin-resistant SKOV3 DR cells were established from SKOV3 cells via 6-month continuous exposure to gradient concentrations of doxorubicin. Quantitative PCR and Western blot assay showed that SKOV3 DR cells had higher level of CCL20 than SKOV3 cells, and doxorubicin upregulated CCL20 expression in SKOV3 cells. MTT and cell count assay found that CCL20 overexpression plasmid enhanced doxorubicin resistance of SKOV3 and OVCA433 cells compared to empty vector, as shown by the increase in cell viability. In contrast, CCL20 shRNA enhanced doxorubicin sensitivity of SKOV3 DR cells compared to control. CCL20 overexpression plasmid promoted NF-kB activation and positively regulated ABCB1 expression. Besides, ABCB1 overexpression plasmid enhanced the viability of SKOV3 and OVCA433 cells compared to empty vector under treatment with the same concentration of doxorubicin, whereas ABCB1 shRNA inhibited doxorubicin resistance of SKOV3 DR cells compared to control. In conclusion, CCL20 enhanced doxorubicin resistance of OC cells by regulating ABCB1 expression.Key words: CCL20, ovarian cancer, doxorubicin resistance, tumor-promoting, ABCB1.

Models used to screen for the treatment of multidrug resistant cancer facilitated by transporter-based efflux

PURPOSE

Efflux transporters of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC)-superfamily play an important role in the development of multidrug resistance (multidrug resistant; MDR) in cancer. The overexpression of these transporters can directly contribute to the failure of chemotherapeutic drugs. Several in vitro and in vivo models exist to screen for the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs against MDR cancer, specifically facilitated by efflux transporters.

RESULTS

This article reviews a range of efflux transporter-based MDR models used to test the efficacy of compounds to overcome MDR in cancer. These models are classified as either in vitro or in vivo and are further categorised as the most basic, conventional models or more complex and advanced systems. Each model's origin, advantages and limitations, as well as specific efflux transporter-based MDR applications are discussed. Accordingly, future modifications to existing models or new research approaches are suggested to develop prototypes that closely resemble the true nature of multidrug resistant cancer in the human body.

CONCLUSIONS

It is evident from this review that a combination of both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models can provide a better understanding of cancer itself, than using a single model only. However, there is still a clear lack of progression of these models from basic research to high-throughput clinical practice.

Transcription factor Nrf2 induces the up-regulation of lncRNA TUG1 to promote progression and adriamycin resistance in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Background

Taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) has been documented to be implicated in carcinogenesis and chemoresistance in solid tumors. Here, we explored the biological role and regulatory mechanism of TUG1 in progression and chemoresistance of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).

Methods

Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA and TUG1 expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of Nrf2, p-glycoprotein (p-gp), Ki-67 (Ki67), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and cleaved caspase-3. The effects of either Nrf2 or TUG1 knockdown on the proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and adriamycin (ADM) resistance of UCB cells were evaluated by CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay and flow cytometry analysis. Xenograft tumor assay was carried out to confirm the role of Nrf2 and TUG1 in ADM resistance of UCB cells in vivo.

Results

Nrf2 and TUG1 were upregulated in UCB tissues and cell lines. A positive correlation between Nrf2 and TUG1 expression was discovered in UCB tissues. Moreover, Nrf2 and TUG1 expression levels were higher in ADM-resistant cells compared with those in parental cells. Furthermore, Nrf2 positively regulated the expression of TUG1 in UCB cells. Knockdown of either Nrf2 or TUG1 led to the inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion and promotion of cell apoptosis, accompanying with down-regulation of Ki67, MMP-2 and MMP-9 and up-regulation of cleaved caspase-3. Knockdown of either Nrf2 or TUG1 enhanced the sensitivity of BIU-87/ADM and T24/ADM cells to ADM, as indicated by decreased expression of p-gp. Besides, knockdown of either Nrf2 or TUG1 inhibited tumor growth in the absence or presence of ADM in vivo.

Conclusions

Nrf2 induces the up-regulation of TUG1 to promote progression and ADM resistance in UCB.

JC, Wass MN, Langer K, Michaelis M. Doxorubicin-loaded human serum albumin nanoparticles overcome transporter-mediated drug resistance in drug-adapted cancer cells

Resistance to systemic drug therapy is a major reason for the failure of anticancer therapies. Here, we tested doxorubicin-loaded human serum albumin (HSA) nanoparticles in the neuroblastoma cell line UKF-NB-3 and its ABCB1-expressing sublines adapted to vincristine (UKF-NB-3^rVCR¹) and doxorubicin (UKF-NB-3^rDOX²⁰). Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles displayed increased anticancer activity in UKF-NB-3^rVCR¹ and UKF-NB-3^rDOX²⁰ cells relative to doxorubicin solution, but not in UKF-NB-3 cells. UKF-NB-3^rVCR¹ cells were re-sensitised by nanoparticle-encapsulated doxorubicin to the level of UKF-NB-3 cells. UKF-NB-3^rDOX²⁰ cells displayed a more pronounced resistance phenotype than UKF-NB-3^rVCR¹ cells and were not re-sensitised by doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles to the level of parental cells. ABCB1 inhibition using zosuquidar resulted in similar effects like nanoparticle incorporation, indicating that doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles successfully circumvent ABCB1-mediated drug efflux. The limited re-sensitisation of UKF-NB-3^rDOX²⁰ cells to doxorubicin by circumvention of ABCB1-mediated efflux is probably due to the presence of multiple doxorubicin resistance mechanisms. So far, ABCB1 inhibitors have failed in clinical trials probably because systemic ABCB1 inhibition results in a modified body distribution of its many substrates including drugs, xenobiotics, and other molecules. HSA nanoparticles may provide an alternative, more specific way to overcome transporter-mediated resistance.

P-glycoprotein-targeted photodynamic therapy boosts cancer nanomedicine by priming tumor microenvironment

Cancer nanomedicines only modestly improve the overall survival of patients because their anticancer activity is limited by biological barriers posed by the tumor microenvironment. Currently, all the drugs in FDA-approved cancer nanomedicines are substrates for P-glycoprotein (Pgp), and thus, Pgp-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a hurdle for cancer nanomedicines.

Methods: In this study, Pgp-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) was developed to enhance the anticancer efficacy of nanomedicines by depleting MDR cancer cells as well as enhancing tumor penetration of nanomedicines. We first examined the Pgp specificity of our targeted PDT approach, and then tested combination therapy of PDT with Doxil in mixed tumor models of MDR cancer cells and stromal cells, mimicking human heterogeneous tumors.

Results: In vitro studies showed that the antibody-photosensitizer conjugates produced Pgp-specific cytotoxicity towards MDR cancer cells upon irradiation with a near-infrared light. The studies with a co-culture model of MDR cancer cells and stromal cells revealed synergistic effects in the combination therapy of PDT with Doxil. Using a mouse model of mixed tumors containing MDR cancer cells and stroma cells, we observed markedly enhanced tumor delivery of Doxil after PDT in vivo. We further examined the effects of the two modalities on individual cell populations and their synergism using an in vivo dual substrate bioluminescence assay. The results indicated that Pgp-targeted PDT specifically depleted MDR cancer cells and further enhanced Doxil's actions on both MDR cancer cells and stromal cells.

Conclusion: We conclude that our targeted PDT approach markedly enhances anticancer actions of nanomedicines by depleting MDR cancer cells and increasing their tumor penetration, and thereby, may provide an effective approach to facilitate translation of cancer nanomedicines.

P-glycoprotein targeted and near-infrared light-guided depletion of chemoresistant tumors

Drug resistance remains a formidable challenge to cancer therapy. P-glycoprotein (Pgp) contributes to multidrug resistance in numerous cancers by preventing accumulation of anticancer drugs in cancer cells. Strategies to overcome this resistance have been vigorously sought for over 3 decades, yet clinical solutions do not exist. The main reason for the failure is lack of cancer specificity of small-molecule Pgp inhibitors, thus causing severe toxicity in normal tissues. In this study, Pgp-targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) was developed to achieve superior cancer specificity through antibody targeting plus locoregional light activation. Thus, a Pgp monoclonal antibody was chemically modified with IR700, a porphyrin photosensitizer. In vitro studies showed that the antibody-photosensitizer conjugates specifically bind to Pgp-expressing drug resistant cancer cells, and caused dramatic cytotoxicity upon irradiation with a near infrared light. We then tested our Pgp-targeted approach in mouse xenograft models of chemoresistant ovarian cancer and head and neck cancer. In both models, targeted PDT produced rapid tumor shrinkage, and significantly prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. We conclude that our targeted PDT approach produces molecularly targeted and spatially selective ablation of chemoresistant tumors, and thereby provides an effective approach to overcome Pgp-mediated multidrug resistance in cancer, where conventional approaches have failed.

A new niclosamide derivatives-B17 can inhibit urological cancers growth through apoptosis-related pathway

The incidence and mortality rate of urological cancers is increasing yearly. Niclosamide has been repurposed as an anti‐cancer drug in recent years. Synthesized derivative of niclosamide was testified for its anti‐cancer activity in urological cancers. MTT assay was used to measure the cytotoxicity effect of niclosamide and its derivatives in urological cancer cell lines. Migratory ability was monitored by scratch migration assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle changes were analyzed by annexin V and PI staining. The apoptosis‐related signal proteins were evaluated by western blotting. T24 had the best drug sensitivity with the lowest IC₅₀ in niclosamide and B17 treatment than DU145 and Caki‐1 cells. After niclosamide and B17 treatment, the mitotic cells were decreased, but apoptotic bodies and morphology changes were not prominent in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells. The migratory ability was inhibited in niclosamide treatment than control group on Caki‐1 cells and niclosamide and B17 treatment than control group on DU145 cells. Early apoptosis cells were increased after niclosamide and B17 treatment than control group without cell cycle changes in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells. Programmed cell death was activated majorly through PAPR and bcl‐2 in T24 and caspase‐3 in Caki‐1 cells, respectively. Niclosamide and B17 derivative had good ability in inhibition proliferation and migratory ability in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells without prominent morphology and apoptotic body changes. UCC cells are more sensitive to niclosamide and B17 treatment. Early apoptosis was induced after niclosamide and B17 treatment through different mechanisms in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells.