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Luo KF, Zhou LX, Wu ZW, Tian Y, Jiang J, Wang MH. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications of huaier in breast cancer treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 14:1269096. [PMID: 38313074 PMCID: PMC10836597 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1269096] [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: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common female malignant tumors today and represents a serious health risk for women. Although the survival rate and quality of life of patients with breast cancer are improving with the continuous development of medical technology, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance of breast cancer remain a significant problem. Huaier, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) fungus, is a type of Sophora embolism fungus growing on old Sophora stems. The polysaccharides of Trametes robiniophila Murr (PS-T) are the main active ingredient of Huaier. There is increasing evidence that Huaier has great potential in breast cancer treatment, and its anti-cancer mechanism may be related to a variety of biological activities, such as the inhibition of cell proliferation, metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, the promotion of cancer cell death, and regulation of tumor-specific immunity. There is growing evidence that Huaier may be effective in the clinical treatment of breast cancer. This review systematically summarizes the basic and clinical studies on the use of Huaier in the treatment of breast cancer, providing useful information to guide the clinical application of Huaier and future clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-fei Luo
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin-xi Zhou
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zi-wei Wu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Emergency Surgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ming-hao Wang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Li B, Cao Q, Liu Z. The treatment effects of Trametes Robiniophila Murr against colorectal cancer: A mini-review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:981516. [PMID: 35991644 PMCID: PMC9381862 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.981516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a worldwide disease threatening people's lives. Surgery and chemotherapy are still the main methods for CRC treatment. However, the side effects and chemotherapeutic drug resistance restrict the application of chemotherapy. Trametes Robiniophila Murr, also known as Huaier, is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for more than 1,600 years. Huaier extracts have promising anti-cancer effects on hepatoma, breast cancer, and gastric cancer. Nowadays, the tumor inhibition of Huaier on CRC has attracted more and more attention. This review mainly provides the possible anti-tumor mechanisms of Huaier for CRC treatment in apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation of tumor cells, preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), weakening proliferation and differentiation of CRC stem cells, decreasing the vessel density in tumor tissues, and enhancing the immune system and chemotherapeutic efficacy. Huaier extract may be a good candidate for CRC treatment, especially when combined with other chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qian Cao
- Department of Education, Jilin University Second Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Zhuo Liu
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Li X, Lu W, Zhou T, Zhao F, Yang L. Timosaponin AIII Suppresses RAP1 Signaling Pathway to Enhance the Inhibitory Effect of Paclitaxel on Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:6756676. [PMID: 35586672 PMCID: PMC9110172 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6756676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although PTX has been identified as an effective drug for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) therapy, it has serious side effects in the human body. Previous studies have shown that timosaponin AIII (TSAIII) can inhibit the malignant progression of NPC cells. This study investigated the active mechanism of the combination of TSAIII and paclitaxel (PTX) on NPC. Cellular viability, apoptosis, apoptotic factors, and RAP1 signaling regulators were detected in the PNC cells (CNE-1 and HNE-2) and the subcutaneous CNE-1 transplanted nude mice treated with PTX or/and TSAIII. The results showed that TSAIII notably strengthened the inhibitory effect of PTX on the proliferation of NPC cells CNE-1 and HNE-2; upregulated the expression of Bax B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-xL-associated death promoter (Bad), and Ras-associated protein1 (RAP1) GTPase activating protein (Rap1GAP); inhibited the level of Bcl-2, RAP1, and Ras guanine nucleotide releasing protein (RasGRP2); and significantly enhanced the promoting effect of PTX on apoptosis in the CNE-1 and HNE-2 cells. Besides, TSAIII strengthened the inhibitory effect of PTX on xenograft tumor in nude mice without adverse reactions. In conclusion, the combination administration of TSAIII and PTX had a significantly therapeutic effect on NPC and avoided the PTX's side effects, which may have acted as a new direction for the study of therapeutic approaches for NPC clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Li
- Department of Otorhinolarynology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Wen Lu
- Department of Otorhinolarynology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Tianjiao Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolarynology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolarynology, Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, People's Hospital of Guang'an City, Guang'an 638001, China
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Shi G, Yu D, Wu J, Liu Y, Huang R, Zhang CS. A systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine with chemotherapy in breast cancer. Gland Surg 2021; 10:1744-1755. [PMID: 34164318 DOI: 10.21037/gs-21-284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background With the continuous progression of a new generation of adjuvant chemotherapy, the survival time of breast cancer patients has also been significantly improved. Chemotherapy alone will cause a series of side effects, which will seriously affect the quality of life of breast cancer patients. Chinese medicine combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a unique advantage in the treatment of breast cancer. Methods English databases were searched using combinations of the following search terms: "traditional Chinese medicine", "neoadjuvant hemotherapy", "breast cancer", and "tumor of breast". Publications in which traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) combined with neoadjuvant therapy was the experimental group and chemotherapy alone was the control group were screened. Results A total of 12 publications were included in the meta-analysis. The efficiency of the performance status score was used to test for heterogeneity, Chi2=2.95, df=5, P=0.71>0.1, I2=0%, Z=3.36, odds ratio (OR) =2.61, and 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.49-4.58. The results of the heterogeneity test of the effective rate of the objective curative effect were as follows: Chi2=1.04, df=7, P=0.99>0.1, I2=0%<50%, Z=2.42, OR =2.00, and 95% CI, 1.14-3.49. The results for the heterogeneity test of the TCM syndrome score were as follows: I2=83%, P<0.00001, mean difference (MD) =8.84, 95% CI, 6.43-11.25, P<0.05. The results for the heterogeneity test of the incidence of adverse reactions in the digestive system after chemotherapy were as follows: Chi2=1.15, df=8, P=1.00>0.1, I2=0%<50%, Z=1.68, OR =0.04, 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.09. Discussion The meta-analysis confirmed that using TCM combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy to treat breast cancer has obvious advantages over chemotherapy alone in terms of the objective curative effect, the performance status score effective rate, the TCM syndrome score change, and the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions after chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Shi
- Department of Pharmacy Service, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Yu
- Department of Pharmacy Service, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Juan Wu
- Department of Pharmacy Service, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanru Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular, Chengdu Qingbajiang District Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruizhen Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Shun Zhang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/Third Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Trametes robiniophila Murr in the treatment of breast cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 128:110254. [PMID: 32480220 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women across the world. Trametes robiniophila Murr (Huaier), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used in China to protect human health for about 1600 years. Recent years, Huaier had been proven to be effective for multiple types of malignancies. This systematic review focused on breast cancer treatment, summarizing the curative function of Huaier aqueous extract and polysaccharides in preclinical researches. Huaier could markedly inhibit breast cancer progression with low toxicity, enhance immune response and increase the sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. The therapeutic effect of Huaier granule in clinical studies was also included. This review amalgamated the current studies and highlighted the promising role of Huaier and its polysaccharides as complementary alternative medicine in breast cancer treatment.
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Pan J, Yang C, Jiang Z, Huang J. Trametes robiniophila Murr: a traditional Chinese medicine with potent anti-tumor effects. Cancer Manag Res 2019; 11:1541-1549. [PMID: 30863164 PMCID: PMC6389013 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s193174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Trametes robiniophila Murr also known as Huaier, one of the traditional Chinese medicines, has been shown an effective adjuvant of cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that the anti-cancer effects of Huaier can be briefly divided into two aspects: the direct effects on tumor cells and the indirect effects on immune cells. In vitro and in vivo experiment showed Huaier directly inhibited tumor cell proliferation, induced tumor cell death, prevented metastasis and interfered with angiogenesis via various signaling pathways. The immunomodulatory effect of Huaier is associated with enhancement of the number and function of CD4+ T cells and NK cells, regulation of the polarization and function of macrophages, and elevated secretion of immune stimulatory cytokines. In this review, the anti-cancer effects and combined treatments of Huaier with other anti-cancer therapies, and the underlying mechanisms are summarized and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Pan
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
| | - Chenghui Yang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
| | - Zhou Jiang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
| | - Jian Huang
- Cancer Institute (Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention & Intervention, National Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immune Therapy of Zhejiang Province), Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China, .,Department of Surgical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009, P.R. China,
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Zhang Y, Wang X, Chen T. Efficacy of Huaier granule in patients with breast cancer. Clin Transl Oncol 2018; 21:588-595. [PMID: 30276759 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-018-1959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huaier extract has been demonstrated to exhibit potent anti-tumor effects in various types of cancer cells. However, the clinical benefit of Huaier granule in breast cancer has not been reported. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Huaier granule in breast cancer patients. METHODS Our study included 284 breast cancer patients treated with or without Huaier granule between January 2005 and October 2016 at Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China. Retrospective data obtained included demographics, clinicopathological characteristics, disease-free survival (DFS), serum concentrations of tumor markers, the Karnofsky performance scale (KPS), and incidences of emotional symptoms. DFS was the main outcome measure. RESULTS Of the patients included, 144 were classified into the control group and 140 into the Huaier group. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the study arms. Median DFS was 91.43 months for control group and 112.61 months for Huaier group (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.57-5.61, p < 0.01). After Huaier granule treatment, the serum levels of tumor markers could be reduced to the normal range. In addition, breast cancer patients with Huaier granule treatment had higher KPS scores and less emotional symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrated that patients orally administrated Huaier granule got longer DFS. Furthermore, Huaier granule could reduce serum tumor markers, improve the functional status, and decrease the incidences of emotional symptoms in breast cancer patients. Therefore, Huaier granule was an effective therapy for women with breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - X Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - T Chen
- School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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