Lombok Medical Journal
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): Lombok Medical Journal (InPress)

Insulin-Induced NF-κB Activation May Contribute to Doxorubicin Resistance in Luminal A T-47D Breast Cancer Cells

Wibisono Hasanul Muhtaram (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mataram University, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.)
Novrita Padauleng (Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mataram University, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.)
Rizka Vidya Lestari (Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mataram University, Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2026

Abstract

Doxorubicin is an effective chemotherapy agent for breast cancer; however, its efficacy is often limited by cellular resistance. Insulin is hypothesized to enhance anti-apoptotic activity through activation of Nuclear Factor Kappa-Beta (NF-κB), although its mechanism in the Luminal A subtype T-47D cell line has not been extensively studied. This analytical experimental study with a post-test only paired design used T-47D cells divided into insulin-treated and non-insulin groups. Both groups were exposed to various concentrations of doxorubicin, namely 0 (control), 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL. NF-κB activation was measured as pNF-κB concentration using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality followed by a paired t-test. The insulin-treated group showed higher mean pNF-κB concentrations compared to the non-insulin group across all doxorubicin doses. Significant differences were observed at 0 µg/mL (p = 0.008), 3.125 µg/mL (p = 0.009), and 100 µg/mL (p = 0.045), whereas no significant differences were found at concentrations between 6.25 and 50 µg/mL (p > 0.05). Overall, increasing doxorubicin concentrations reduced pNF-κB levels; however, insulin treatment maintained higher pNF-κB levels compared to the non-insulin group. These findings indicate that insulin increases NF-κB activation in doxorubicin-treated T-47D breast cancer cells and may sustain NF-κB activity against the cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

LMJ

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Mechanical Engineering Public Health

Description

Lombok Medical Journal (LMJ) is a peer-reviewed and open access journal that focuses on promoting medical sciences generated from basic sciences, clinical, community or public health research, and medical education to integrate researches in all aspects of human health. This journal publishes ...