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Debele TA, Chen CK, Yu LY, Lo CL. Lipopolyplex-Mediated Co-Delivery of Doxorubicin and FAK siRNA to Enhance Therapeutic Efficiency of Treating Colorectal Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020596. [PMID: 36839918 PMCID: PMC9968081 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor metastasis is a major concern in cancer therapy. In this context, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) gene overexpression, which mediates cancer cell migration and invasion, has been reported in several human tumors and is considered a potential therapeutic target. However, gene-based treatment has certain limitations, including a lack of stability and low transfection ability. In this study, a biocompatible lipopolyplex was synthesized to overcome the aforementioned limitations. First, polyplexes were prepared using poly(2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylamide-co-methylacrylate-hydrazone-pyridoxal) (P(HPMA-co-MA-hyd-VB6)) copolymers, which bore positive charges at low pH value owing to protonation of pyridoxal groups and facilitated electrostatic interactions with negatively charged FAK siRNA. These polyplexes were then encapsulated into methoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG)-modified liposomes to form lipopolyplexes. Doxorubicin (DOX) was also loaded into lipopolyplexes for combination therapy with siRNA. Experimental results revealed that lipopolyplexes successfully released DOX at low pH to kill cancer cells and induced siRNA out of endosomes to inhibit the translation of FAK proteins. Furthermore, the efficient accumulation of lipopolyplexes in the tumors led to excellent cancer therapeutic efficacy. Overall, the synthesized lipopolyplex is a suitable nanocarrier for the co-delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and genes to treat cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilahun Ayane Debele
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 452, USA
| | - Chi-Kang Chen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Lu-Yi Yu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-Y.Y.); (C.-L.L.); Tel.: +886-2-28267000 (ext. 67914) (C.-L.L.)
| | - Chun-Liang Lo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation and Translation Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (L.-Y.Y.); (C.-L.L.); Tel.: +886-2-28267000 (ext. 67914) (C.-L.L.)
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The dual FAK-HDAC inhibitor MY-1259 displays potent activities in gastric cancers in vitro and in vivo. Bioorg Chem 2023; 131:106328. [PMID: 36542986 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation and Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) are considered to be two important targets for the development of antitumor drugs. Studies have shown that the combination of FAK and HDAC inhibitors could exhibit synergistic effects in a subset of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. At present, there are few reports on dual target inhibitors of FAK and HDAC. Here, we first reported a new compound MY-1259 as a dual FAK and HDAC6 inhibitor, which exhibited efficient treatment effects on gastric cancers in vitro and in vivo. MY-1259 exhibited potent inhibitory activities against FAK (IC50 = 132 nM) and HDAC6 (IC50 = 16 nM). Notably, MY-1259 showed selective inhibitory potency on HDAC6 over HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3. In addition, MY-1259 could potently inhibit the proliferative activities of MGC-803 and BGC-823 cells (IC50 = 3.91 and 15.46 nM, respectively, using flow cytometry counting), induce cell apoptosis, and cellular senescence. MY-1259 could effectively down-regulate the levels of Ac-Histone H3 and Ac-α-tubulin, and also inhibit the phosphorylation of FAK at three phosphorylation sites Y397, Y576/577 and Y925, thereby inhibiting the activation of ERK and AKT/mTOR. MY-1259 exhibited more effective antitumor effect in vivo than the HDAC inhibitor SAHA and FAK inhibitor TAE-226 alone or in combination, showing the advantages of FAK/HDAC dual inhibitors in the treatment of gastric cancers. Therefore, the results in this work suggested that inhibition of FAK and HDAC by MY-1259 might represent a promising strategy for the treatment of gastric cancers.
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Wu Q, Chen P, Li J, Lin Z, Zhang Q, Kwok HF. Inhibition of bladder cancer growth with homoharringtonine by inactivating integrin α5/β1-FAK/Src axis: A novel strategy for drug application. Pharmacol Res 2023; 188:106654. [PMID: 36640858 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors and FGFR protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors have made a tremendous breakthrough in bladder cancer therapy. However, inadequate drug responses and drug resistance interfere with successful treatment outcomes. For a new drug to enter the market, there is a long development cycle with high costs and low success rates. Repurposing previously Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and using novel drug discovery strategies may be an optimal approach. Homoharringtonine (HHT) has been used for hematologic malignancies for over 40 years in China and was approved by the FDA approximately 10 years ago. Many studies have demonstrated that HHT effectively inhibits the development of several types of solid tumors, although the underlying mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying HHT activity against bladder cancer growth. We first compared HTT with the drugs currently used clinically for bladder cancer treatment. HHT showed stronger inhibitory activity than cisplatin, carboplatin, and doxorubicin. Our in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that HHT inhibited proliferation, colony formation, migration, and cell adhesion of bladder cancer cells and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the nanomolar concentration range. Furthermore, we revealed that HHT treatment could downregulate the MAPK/Erk and PI3k/Akt signaling pathways by inactivating the integrin α5/β1-FAK/Src axis. HHT-induced activity reduced cell-ECM interactions and cell migration, thus suppressing tumor metastasis progression. Altogether, HHT shows enormous potential as an anticancer agent and may be applied as a combination treatment strategy for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiushuang Wu
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Pengchen Chen
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Junnan Li
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Ziqi Lin
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Qingwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macau SAR
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Cancer Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR.
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Yu HJ, Shin JA, Cho SD. Inhibition of focal adhesion kinase/paxillin axis by caffeic acid phenethyl ester restrains aggressive behaviors of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vitro. Arch Oral Biol 2023; 146:105611. [PMID: 36577313 DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2022.105611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), one of the components of propolis that is produced by honeybees, reportedly suppresses multiple diseases, including bacterial infection, inflammation, and cancer. We aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of CAPE on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) status and aggressive behaviors of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in vitro and the underlying signaling pathway. DESIGN To examine the cell growth and in vitro tumorigenic potential of HNSCC cells, cell viability and soft agar colony formation assays, respectively, were performed. Transwell migration and invasion assays were conducted to monitor HNSCC cells' aggressive behaviors. Western blotting and immunocytochemistry analyses were done to investigate the signaling pathway responsible for relieving EMT progression and HNSCC cell aggressiveness. RESULTS CAPE inhibited the in vitro tumorigenic potential of SNU-1041 cells stimulated by epidermal growth factor and suppressed the migratory and invasive capacities of SNU-1041 cells, irrespective of their cell proliferation state. CAPE was, at least partially, capable of inhibiting EMT progression by upregulating E-cadherin expression, which was accompanied by the reduction of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Paxillin. The inhibition of the FAK/Paxillin axis by PF-562271 was sufficient to alleviate the EMT progression through the induction of E-cadherin and aggressive behaviors of SNU-1041 cells. CONCLUSIONS CAPE has a therapeutic potential as an anti-metastatic drug candidate for HNSCC therapy targeting the FAK/Paxillin axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Ju Yu
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Ae Shin
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sung-Dae Cho
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Schröder M, Leiendecker M, Grädler U, Braun J, Blum A, Wanior M, Berger BT, Krämer A, Müller S, Esdar C, Knapp S, Heinrich T. MSC-1186, a Highly Selective Pan-SRPK Inhibitor Based on an Exceptionally Decorated Benzimidazole-Pyrimidine Core. J Med Chem 2023; 66:837-854. [PMID: 36516476 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The highly conserved catalytic sites in protein kinases make it difficult to identify ATP competitive inhibitors with kinome-wide selectivity. Serendipitously, during a dedicated fragment campaign for the focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a scaffold that had lost its initial FAK affinity showed remarkable potency and selectivity for serine-arginine-protein kinases 1-3 (SRPK1-3). Non-conserved interactions with the uniquely structured hinge region of the SRPK family were the key drivers of the exclusive selectivity of the discovered fragment hit. Structure-guided medicinal chemistry efforts led to the SRPK inhibitor MSC-1186, which fulfills all hallmarks of a reversible chemical probe, including nanomolar cellular potency and excellent kinome-wide selectivity. The combination of MSC-1186 with CDC2-like kinase (CLK) inhibitors showed additive attenuation of SR-protein phosphorylation compared to the single agents. MSC-1186 and negative control (MSC-5360) are chemical probes available via the Structural Genomics Consortium chemical probe program (https://www.sgc-ffm.uni-frankfurt.de/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schröder
- SGC Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Grädler
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Juliane Braun
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Andreas Blum
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Marek Wanior
- SGC Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benedict-Tilman Berger
- SGC Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Krämer
- SGC Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Müller
- SGC Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christina Esdar
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Stefan Knapp
- SGC Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Buchmann Institute for Life Sciences (BMLS), Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Riedberg Campus, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Timo Heinrich
- Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
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State of the art and perspectives in pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 207:115373. [PMID: 36513143 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hepatoblastoma (HB) and pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare primary malignant liver cancers in children and young adults. HB is the most common and accounts for about 70 % cases; it is usually diagnosed during the first 3 years of life. Instead, pediatric HCC is uncommon, and it is associated with a poor prognosis. Overall, the prognosis of pediatric HCC is dismal with 5-year event-free survival of <30 % as compared to >80 % for HB. Surgery approaches, either resection or transplant, remain the best chance for the cure of pediatric HCC. However, chemotherapy can be helpful as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment. International groups have done trials in pediatric HCC with a chemotherapy regimen, based on cisplatin and doxorubicin (PLADO) as for HB, but the efficacy is limited. Sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, following positive results in adults and in a pilot study in children, is now tested in conjunction with chemotherapy in the PHITT phase III clinical trial. Some studies have been exploring the genetic profiles of patients to find biological hallmarks that determine the aggressiveness of pediatric HCC. Pathways involved in growth and differentiation are dysregulated and as demonstrated in HB and adult HCC, an important role of the Wnt/CTNNB1 pathway in the pathogenesis of pediatric HCC is also emerging. An extended molecular analysis of tumor samples could give information about pathways as possible targets of biological and immunotherapeutic agents bringing new pharmacological options for the treatment of pediatric HCC.
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Xu X, Wang J. Multi-omics analysis reveals focal adhesion characteristic associated tumor immune microenvironment in colon adenocarcinoma. Front Genet 2023; 14:1088091. [PMID: 36950136 PMCID: PMC10025302 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1088091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is one of the most frequent malignant lesions of the digestive system in humans, with an insidious onset. At the time of diagnosis, most of them have developed to the middle and late stages, and cancer cells have metastasized, and the prognosis is poor. Treatment options for progressive COAD are limited, and despite the promise of immunotherapy, immunotherapy response rates are low. The assembly and disaggregation of focal adhesion are critical for the directional migration of tumor cells to different sites, and it is unclear whether focal adhesion-related genes are involved in the development and prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the role of focal adhesion genes in the occurrence and prognosis of COAD. We obtained datasets of COAD patients, including RNA-sequencing data and clinical information, from the TCGA and GEO databases (GSE17538 and GSE39582). Through CNMF clustering, two molecular subtypes with different expression patterns of focal adhesion genes were identified, and it was found that the molecular subtype with low expression of focal adhesion genes had better prognosis. Then the prediction signature was constructed by LASSO-Cox regression model, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the 4-gene signature had a good prediction effect on COAD 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS. Gene function enrichment analysis showed that the high-risk group was mainly enriched in immune and adhesion-related signaling pathways, suggesting that focal adhesion genes may affect the development and prognosis of COAD by regulating the immune microenvironment and tumor metastasis. The interaction between focal adhesion genes and immunity during the occurrence of COAD may help improve the response rate of immunotherapy, which also provides new ideas for the molecular mechanism and targeted therapy in COAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Jining First People’s Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Jingzhi Wang
- Department of Radiotherapy Oncology, The Affiliated Yancheng First Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, The First People’s Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng, China
- *Correspondence: Jingzhi Wang,
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Macrophages as a Potential Immunotherapeutic Target in Solid Cancers. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 11:vaccines11010055. [PMID: 36679900 PMCID: PMC9863216 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The revolution in cancer immunotherapy over the last few decades has resulted in a paradigm shift in the clinical care of cancer. Most of the cancer immunotherapeutic regimens approved so far have relied on modulating the adaptive immune system. In recent years, strategies and approaches targeting the components of innate immunity have become widely recognized for their efficacy in targeting solid cancers. Macrophages are effector cells of the innate immune system, which can play a crucial role in the generation of anti-tumor immunity through their ability to phagocytose cancer cells and present tumor antigens to the cells of adaptive immunity. However, the macrophages that are recruited to the tumor microenvironment predominantly play pro-tumorigenic roles. Several strategies targeting pro-tumorigenic functions and harnessing the anti-tumorigenic properties of macrophages have shown promising results in preclinical studies, and a few of them have also advanced to clinical trials. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the pathobiology of TAMs and their role in the progression of solid malignancies. We discuss various mechanisms through which TAMs promote tumor progression, such as inflammation, genomic instability, tumor growth, cancer stem cell formation, angiogenesis, EMT and metastasis, tissue remodeling, and immunosuppression, etc. In addition, we also discuss potential therapeutic strategies for targeting TAMs and explore how macrophages can be used as a tool for next-generation immunotherapy for the treatment of solid malignancies.
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Ventura E, Xie C, Buraschi S, Belfiore A, Iozzo RV, Giordano A, Morrione A. Complexity of progranulin mechanisms of action in mesothelioma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:333. [PMID: 36471440 PMCID: PMC9720952 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02546-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesothelioma is an aggressive disease with limited therapeutic options. The growth factor progranulin plays a critical role in several cancer models, where it regulates tumor initiation and progression. Recent data from our laboratories have demonstrated that progranulin and its receptor, EphA2, constitute an oncogenic pathway in bladder cancer by promoting motility, invasion and in vivo tumor formation. Progranulin and EphA2 are expressed in mesothelioma cells but their mechanisms of action are not well defined. In addition, there are no data establishing whether the progranulin/EphA2 axis is tumorigenic for mesothelioma cells. METHODS The expression of progranulin in various mesothelioma cell lines derived from all major mesothelioma subtypes was examined by western blots on cell lysates, conditioned media and ELISA assays. The biological roles of progranulin, EphA2, EGFR, RYK and FAK were assessed in vitro by immunoblots, human phospho-RTK antibody arrays, pharmacological (specific inhibitors) and genetic (siRNAs, shRNAs, CRISPR/Cas9) approaches, motility, invasion and adhesion assays. In vivo tumorigenesis was determined by xenograft models. Focal adhesion turnover was evaluated biochemically using focal adhesion assembly/disassembly assays and immunofluorescence analysis with focal adhesion-specific markers. RESULTS In the present study we show that progranulin is upregulated in various mesothelioma cell lines covering all mesothelioma subtypes and is an important regulator of motility, invasion, adhesion and in vivo tumor formation. However, our results indicate that EphA2 is not the major functional receptor for progranulin in mesothelioma cells, where progranulin activates a complex signaling network including EGFR and RYK. We further characterized progranulin mechanisms of action and demonstrated that progranulin, by modulating FAK activity, regulates the kinetic of focal adhesion disassembly, a critical step for cell motility. CONCLUSION Collectively, our results highlight the complexity of progranulin oncogenic signaling in mesothelioma, where progranulin modulate functional cross-talks between multiple RTKs, thereby suggesting the need for combinatorial therapeutic approaches to improve treatments of this aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ventura
- grid.264727.20000 0001 2248 3398Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122 USA
| | - Christopher Xie
- grid.412726.40000 0004 0442 8581Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA
| | - Simone Buraschi
- grid.412726.40000 0004 0442 8581Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA
| | - Antonino Belfiore
- grid.8158.40000 0004 1757 1969Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, University of Catania, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, 95122 Catania, Italy
| | - Renato V. Iozzo
- grid.412726.40000 0004 0442 8581Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Translational Cellular Oncology Program, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107 USA
| | - Antonio Giordano
- grid.264727.20000 0001 2248 3398Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122 USA ,grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Morrione
- grid.264727.20000 0001 2248 3398Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122 USA
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SRPX2 Promotes Tumor Proliferation and Migration via the FAK Pathway in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:5821545. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/5821545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is the most common form of endocrine cancer around the world, and among which papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most ubiquitous pathological sub-kind. Sushi repeat-containing protein X-linked 2 (SRPX2) was reported to be an independent prognostic factor and significantly overexpressed in advanced PTC patients. However, the biological functions of SRPX2 remain ambiguous in PTC. Here, we explored SRPX2 expression profiles and functions in PTC, finding that SRPX2 expression was remarkably upregulated in PTC tissues and cell lines. Further colony formation, CCK-8, as well as transwell assay, suggested that SRPX2 silencing remarkably dampened PTC growth and migration. Mouse xenograft models were established to find that SRPX2 silence remarkably suppressed PTC proliferation and migration in vivo. Following mechanism studies revealed that SRPX2 realized its functions in the PTC process partially through activating the Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation. In conclusion, this study investigated the functions and mechanisms of the SRPX2/FAK pathway in PTC progression. SRPX2 could act as a prospective biologic signature and therapeutic target molecule for PTC.
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Alexandrova A, Lomakina M. How does plasticity of migration help tumor cells to avoid treatment: Cytoskeletal regulators and potential markers. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:962652. [PMID: 36278174 PMCID: PMC9582651 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.962652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor shrinkage as a result of antitumor therapy is not the only and sufficient indicator of treatment success. Cancer progression leads to dissemination of tumor cells and formation of metastases - secondary tumor lesions in distant organs. Metastasis is associated with acquisition of mobile phenotype by tumor cells as a result of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and further cell migration based on cytoskeleton reorganization. The main mechanisms of individual cell migration are either mesenchymal, which depends on the activity of small GTPase Rac, actin polymerization, formation of adhesions with extracellular matrix and activity of proteolytic enzymes or amoeboid, which is based on the increase in intracellular pressure caused by the enhancement of actin cortex contractility regulated by Rho-ROCK-MLCKII pathway, and does not depend on the formation of adhesive structures with the matrix, nor on the activity of proteases. The ability of tumor cells to switch from one motility mode to another depending on cell context and environmental conditions, termed migratory plasticity, contributes to the efficiency of dissemination and often allows the cells to avoid the applied treatment. The search for new therapeutic targets among cytoskeletal proteins offers an opportunity to directly influence cell migration. For successful treatment it is important to assess the likelihood of migratory plasticity in a particular tumor. Therefore, the search for specific markers that can indicate a high probability of migratory plasticity is very important.
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Yang L, Qiao P, Zhang J, Huang S, Hu A. Rho-associated kinase1 promotes laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis and progression via the FAK signaling pathway. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:100. [PMID: 36197602 PMCID: PMC9535064 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00561-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Rho-associated kinase1 (ROCK1) is considered to promote progression of numerous cancers, however, its role in LSCC is still unknown. Here, the expression level of ROCK1 is higher in LSCC tissues than non-tumor tissues, and the expression level of ROCK1 is positively correlated with advanced stage and poor survival prognosis. ROCK1 knockdown in TU686 and TU212 cells dramatically inhibits cellular proliferation, migration and invasion. Whereas the overexpression of ROCK1 reversed these changes. FAK signaling pathway plays an essential role in promoting LSCC progression. Inhibiting FAK activity with TAE226 observably impairs the tumor-promoting effects. In conclusion, ROCK1 promotes LSCC tumorigenesis and progression via the FAK signaling pathway, targeting the ROCK1 molecule may represent potential targets for clinical LSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Yang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China
| | - Peipei Qiao
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China
| | - Shuixian Huang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China.
| | - An Hu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China.
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Yu G, Xu M, Zhou L, Zheng K, Zhu X, Sui J, Xin C, Chang W, Zhang W, Cao F. High expression of phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase predicts a poor prognosis in human colorectal cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:989999. [PMID: 36176444 PMCID: PMC9513477 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.989999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Phosphorylated Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been reported to be intimately involved in various malignant tumors. The effect of p-FAK on colorectal cancer (CRC) is still disputable. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of p-FAK in the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Methods: The clinical significance of p-FAK expression in CRC was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a large cohort, including carcinoma and para-carcinoma tissues from 908 patients, and normal tissues, adenoma, and metastasis tissues. The correlation between p-FAK expression and CRC occurrence was investigated in tumor and other tissues. Factors contributing to prognosis were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression model. Results: p-FAK is apparently overexpressed in CRC and metastasis tissues. Compared with low p-FAK expression, patients with high p-FAK expression had shorter overall survival [hazard ratio (HR), 2.200; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.265–3.452; p < 0.01] and disease-free survival (HR, 2.004; 95% CI 1.262–3.382; p < 0.01) in multivariate Cox analysis after adjusting other prognostic factors. High p-FAK expression was also related to a worse chemotherapeutic response in patients who achieved adjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Expression level of p-FAK is an independent risk factor and can serve as a prognostic biomarker for CRC. High p-FAK expression predicts an unfavorable prognosis of CRC as well as poor chemotherapeutic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyu Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengnan Xu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Leqi Zhou
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuo Zheng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinke Sui
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Xin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Chang
- Department of Environmental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenjun Chang, ; Wei Zhang, ; Fuao Cao,
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenjun Chang, ; Wei Zhang, ; Fuao Cao,
| | - Fuao Cao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Wenjun Chang, ; Wei Zhang, ; Fuao Cao,
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64
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Shi M, Chen T, Wei S, Zhao C, Zhang X, Li X, Tang X, Liu Y, Yang Z, Chen L. Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, and Free Energy Calculation Insights into the Binding Mechanism between VS-4718 and Focal Adhesion Kinase. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:32442-32456. [PMID: 36119979 PMCID: PMC9476166 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c03951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a 125 kDa nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that plays an important role in many carcinomas. Thus, the targeting of FAK by small molecules is considered to be promising for cancer therapy. Some FAK inhibitors have been reported as potential anticancer drugs and have entered into clinical development; for example, VS-4718 is currently undergoing clinical trials. However, the lack of crystal structural data for the binding of VS-4718 with FAK has hindered the optimization of this anticancer agent. In this work, the VS-4718/FAK interaction model was obtained by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The binding free energies of VS-4718/FAK were also calculated using the molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area method. It was found that the aminopyrimidine group formed hydrogen bonds with the C502 residue of the hinge loop, while the D564 residue of the T-loop interacted with the amide group. In addition, I428, A452, V484, M499, G505, and L553 residues formed hydrophobic interactions with VS-4718. The obtained results therefore provide an improved understanding of the interaction between human FAK and VS-4718. Based on the obtained binding mechanism, 47 novel compounds were designed to target the adenosine 5'-triphosphate-binding pocket of human FAK, and ensemble docking was performed to assess the effects of these modifications on the inhibitor binding affinity. This work is also expected to provide additional insights into potential future target design strategies based on VS-4718.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingsong Shi
- State
Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China
Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China
Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siping Wei
- Key
Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, China
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Chenyu Zhao
- West
China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- West
China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinghui Li
- West
China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xinyi Tang
- West
China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China
Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhuang Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China
Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
- . Phone: +86-28-85164063
| | - Lijuan Chen
- State
Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China
Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
- . Phone: +86-28-85164063
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Chuang HH, Huang MS, Zhen YY, Chuang CH, Lee YR, Hsiao M, Yang CJ. FAK Executes Anti-Senescence via Regulating EZH2 Signaling in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081937. [PMID: 36009484 PMCID: PMC9406208 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in various cancer types that plays a critical role in tumor progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that targeting FAK, either alone or in combination with other agents, may serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for numerous cancers. In addition to retarding proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis, FAK inhibition triggers cellular senescence in lung cancer cells. However, the detailed mechanism remains enigmatic. In the present study, we found that FAK inhibition not only elicits DNA-damage signaling but also downregulates enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expression. The manipulation of FAK expression influences EZH2 expression and corresponding signaling in vitro. Immunohistochemistry shows that active FAK signaling corresponds with the activation of the EZH2-mediated signaling cascade in lung-cancer-cells-derived tumor tissues. We also found that ectopic EZH2 expression attenuates FAK-inhibition-induced cellular senescence in lung cancer cells. Our results identify EZH2 as a critical downstream effector of the FAK-mediated anti-senescence pathway. Targeting FAK-EZH2 axis-induced cellular senescence may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for restraining tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Hao Chuang
- Division of Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Shyan Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, E-Da Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Yi Zhen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Chuang
- Division of Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Ray Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Michael Hsiao
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (C.-J.Y.); Tel.: +886-2-27871243 (M.H.); +886-7-3121101 (ext. 5651) (C.-J.Y.)
| | - Chih-Jen Yang
- Division of Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Faculty of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Cancer Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (M.H.); (C.-J.Y.); Tel.: +886-2-27871243 (M.H.); +886-7-3121101 (ext. 5651) (C.-J.Y.)
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Xu Z, Huang L, Zhang T, Liu Y, Fang F, Wu X, Chen W, Lan L, Zhang Y, Li N, Hu P. Shikonin inhibits the proliferation of cervical cancer cells via FAK/AKT/GSK3β signalling. Oncol Lett 2022; 24:304. [PMID: 35949620 PMCID: PMC9353239 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2022.13424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies of the female reproductive system. Shikonin, a naphthoquinone pigment extracted from the traditional medicinal herb, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been demonstrated to exert significant inhibitory effects on a variety of tumours in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, the effects of shikonin on cervical cancer and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The effects of shikonin on the viability on HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells was examined using cell counting kit (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the levels of the proliferation-related protein, Ki67. Western blot analysis was utilized to measure the phosphorylated and total expression levels of proteins, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), AKT, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Cell migration was determined by using wound healing assay. Metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1), TGFβ1 and VEGF mRNA expression levels were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. It was demonstrated that, shikonin inhibited cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration. The data of the present study revealed that shikonin inhibited the proliferation of HeLa and SiHa cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Mechanistically, shikonin blocked the proliferation of cervical cancer cells by downregulating the phosphorylation of FAK, AKT and GSK3β induced by EGF. In addition, shikonin significantly suppressed cell migration and reduced the expression of migration-related proteins, including MTA1, TGFβ1 and VEGF. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that shikonin may exert an inhibitory effect on the cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration through the FAK/AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway. These findings suggest that shikonin may function as a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
| | - Liru Huang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
| | - Yuwei Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xinyue Wu
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
| | - Wen Chen
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lingning Lan
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
| | - Yangbo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Ping Hu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330001, P.R. China
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Anticancer Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Apigenin in Cervical Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14071824. [PMID: 35406599 PMCID: PMC8998024 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14071824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent malignancy in women. Apigenin is a natural plant-derived flavonoid present in common fruit, vegetables, and herbs, and has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as a health-promoting agent. It also exhibits important anticancer effects in various cancers, but its effects are not widely accepted by clinical practitioners. The present study investigated the anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of apigenin in cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. HeLa and C33A cells were treated with different concentrations of apigenin. The effects of apigenin on cell viability, cell cycle distribution, migration potential, phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT, the integrin β1-FAK signaling pathway, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein levels were investigated. Mechanisms identified from the in vitro study were further validated in a cervical tumor xenograft mouse model. Apigenin effectively inhibited the growth of cervical cancer cells and cervical tumors in xenograft mice. Furthermore, the apigenin down-regulated FAK signaling (FAK, paxillin, and integrin β1) and PI3K/AKT signaling (PI3K, AKT, and mTOR), inactivated or activated various signaling targets, such as Bcl-2, Bax, p21cip1, CDK1, CDC25c, cyclin B1, fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, laminin, and E-cadherin, promoted mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, induced G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest, and reduced EMT to inhibit HeLa and C33A cancer cell migration, producing anticancer effects in cervical cancer. Thus, apigenin may act as a chemotherapeutic agent for cervical cancer treatment.
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