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Liu B, Lu Y, Taledaohan A, Qiao S, Li Q, Wang Y. The Promoting Role of HK II in Tumor Development and the Research Progress of Its Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 29:75. [PMID: 38202657 PMCID: PMC10779805 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29010075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Increased glycolysis is a key characteristic of malignant cells that contributes to their high proliferation rates and ability to develop drug resistance. The glycolysis rate-limiting enzyme hexokinase II (HK II) is overexpressed in most tumor cells and significantly affects tumor development. This paper examines the structure of HK II and the specific biological factors that influence its role in tumor development, as well as the potential of HK II inhibitors in antitumor therapy. Furthermore, we identify and discuss the inhibitors of HK II that have been reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingru Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (B.L.); (Y.L.); (A.T.)
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yu Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (B.L.); (Y.L.); (A.T.)
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Department of Core Facility Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Ayijiang Taledaohan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (B.L.); (Y.L.); (A.T.)
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Shi Qiao
- Civil Aviation Medical Center, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Beijing 100123, China;
| | - Qingyan Li
- Civil Aviation Medical Center, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Beijing 100123, China;
| | - Yuji Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; (B.L.); (Y.L.); (A.T.)
- Beijing Area Major Laboratory of Peptide and Small Molecular Drugs, Engineering Research Center of Endogenous Prophylactic of Ministry of Education of China, Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Laboratory for Clinical Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Department of Core Facility Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
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2
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Dong Y, Qi Y, Jiang H, Mi T, Zhang Y, Peng C, Li W, Zhang Y, Zhou Y, Zang Y, Li J. The development and benefits of metformin in various diseases. Front Med 2023; 17:388-431. [PMID: 37402952 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-0998-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023]
Abstract
Metformin has been used for the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus for decades due to its safety, low cost, and outstanding hypoglycemic effect clinically. The mechanisms underlying these benefits are complex and still not fully understood. Inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory-chain complex I is the most described downstream mechanism of metformin, leading to reduced ATP production and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Meanwhile, many novel targets of metformin have been gradually discovered. In recent years, multiple pre-clinical and clinical studies are committed to extend the indications of metformin in addition to diabetes. Herein, we summarized the benefits of metformin in four types of diseases, including metabolic associated diseases, cancer, aging and age-related diseases, neurological disorders. We comprehensively discussed the pharmacokinetic properties and the mechanisms of action, treatment strategies, the clinical application, the potential risk of metformin in various diseases. This review provides a brief summary of the benefits and concerns of metformin, aiming to interest scientists to consider and explore the common and specific mechanisms and guiding for the further research. Although there have been countless studies of metformin, longitudinal research in each field is still much warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yingbei Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Haowen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Tian Mi
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yunkai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wanchen Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yongmei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Yubo Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan, 528400, China.
| | - Yi Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Jia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Open Studio for Druggability Research of Marine Natural Products, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266237, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
- Shandong Laboratory of Yantai Drug Discovery, Bohai Rim Advanced Research Institute for Drug Discovery, Yantai, 264117, China.
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3
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Wu H, Qian D, Bai X, Sun S. Targeted Pyroptosis Is a Potential Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:2515525. [PMID: 36467499 PMCID: PMC9715319 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2515525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
As a type of regulated cell death (RCD) mode, pyroptosis plays an important role in several kinds of cancers. Pyroptosis is induced by different stimuli, whose pathways are divided into the canonical pathway and the noncanonical pathway depending on the formation of the inflammasomes. The canonical pathway is triggered by the assembly of inflammasomes, and the activation of caspase-1 and then the cleavage of effector protein gasdermin D (GSDMD) are promoted. While in the noncanonical pathway, the caspase-4/5/11 (caspase 4/5 in humans and caspase 11 in mice) directly cleave GSDMD without the assembly of inflammasomes. Pyroptosis is involved in various cancers, such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, hepatic carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal carcinoma. Pyroptosis in gastric cancer, hepatic carcinoma, breast cancer, and colorectal carcinoma is related to the canonical pathway, while both the canonical and noncanonical pathway participate in lung cancer. Moreover, simvastatin, metformin, and curcumin have effect on these cancers and simultaneously promote the pyroptosis of cancer cells. Accordingly, pyroptosis may be an important therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Clinical Medicine, Three Class, 2020 Grade, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Dianlun Qian
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiangfeng Bai
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shibo Sun
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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4
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Tawfik SM, Abdollah MRA, Elmazar MM, El-Fawal HAN, Abdelnaser A. Effects of Metformin Combined With Antifolates on HepG2 Cell Metabolism and Cellular Proliferation. Front Oncol 2022; 12:828988. [PMID: 35186762 PMCID: PMC8851913 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.828988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most prevalent types of cancers worldwide, continues to maintain high levels of resistance to standard therapy. As clinical data revealed poor response rates, the need for developing new methods has increased to improve the overall wellbeing of patients with HCC. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence shows that cancer metabolic changes are a key feature of many types of human malignancies. Metabolic reprogramming refers to cancer cells’ ability to change their metabolism in order to meet the increased energy demand caused by continuous growth, rapid proliferation, and other neoplastic cell characteristics. For these reasons, metabolic pathways may become new therapeutic and chemopreventive targets. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic alterations associated with metformin (MET), an anti-diabetic agent when combined with two antifolate drugs: trimethoprim (TMP) or methotrexate (MTX), and how metabolic changes within the cancer cell may be used to increase cellular death. In this study, single drugs and combinations were investigated using in vitro assays including cytotoxicity assay (MTT), RT-qPCR, annexin V/PI apoptosis assay, scratch wound assay and Seahorse XF analysis, on a human HCC cell line, HepG2. The cytotoxicity assay showed that the IC50 of MET as single therapy was 44.08 mM that was reduced to 22.73 mM and 29.29 mM when combined with TMP and MTX, respectively. The co-treatment of both drugs increased p53 and Bax apoptotic markers, while decreased the anti-apoptotic marker; Bcl-2. Both combinations increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and halted cancer cell migration when compared to MET alone. Furthermore, both combinations decreased the MET-induced increase in glycolysis, while also inducing mitochondrial damage, altering cancer cell bioenergetics. These findings provide an exciting insight into the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of MET and anti-folates on HepG2 cells, and how in combination, may potentially combat the aggressiveness of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherouk M Tawfik
- Department of Chemistry, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt (BUE), Cairo, Egypt.,The Center for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt (BUE), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maha R A Abdollah
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt (BUE), Cairo, Egypt.,The Center for Drug Research and Development (CDRD), Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt (BUE), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohey M Elmazar
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt (BUE), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hassan A N El-Fawal
- Institute of Global Public Health, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Anwar Abdelnaser
- Institute of Global Public Health, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
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5
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Fatehi-Agdam M, Vatankhah MA, Panahizadeh R, Jeddi F, Najafzadeh N. Efficacy of Metformin and Chemotherapeutic Agents on the Inhibition of Colony Formation and Shh/Gli1 Pathway: Metformin/Docetaxel Versus Metformin/5-Fluorouracil. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2020; 71:17-25. [PMID: 32987433 DOI: 10.1055/a-1248-9008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer characterized by poor prognosis and chemoresistance. Docetaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are frequently used for the treatment of gastric cancer. Despite their potent anti-cancer effects, chemoresistance occurs in metastatic gastric cancer. Metformin, a popular anti-diabetic drug, has been proven to have potent anticancer effects on gastrointestinal cancers. Here, we aim to improve this chemotherapy agents' efficacy by pretreatment with metformin. METHODS The AGS gastric cancer cell line were pretreated with three different sub-toxic concentration of metformin and then treated with various concentrations of 5-FU and docetaxel.The anticancer effects of the combination of metformin with the chemotherapy agents were determined using clonogenic assay and DAPi staining. We used real-time PCR to evaluate Gli1, Gli2, and TWIST1 mRNA expression levels in the gastric cancer cells. Also, the expression of the Shh protein was assessed using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS Here, we found that metformin sensitized the gastric cancer cells to chemotherapy. The combination treatments were more effective in reducing the number of cancer colonies compared to 5-FU or docetaxel alone. The combination of metformin with 5-FU or docetaxel significantly reduced the number of cells expressing the Shh protein compared to the 5-FU alone or docetaxel alone. Interestingly, we found that the combination of metformin with docetaxel significantly down-regulated the mRNA levels of Gli1, Gli2, and TWIST1 in the AGS gastric cancer cell line compared to docetaxel alone. CONCLUSION Overall, our data strongly support an important role for metformin as an enhancer of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents against gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Fatehi-Agdam
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil.,Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Mohammad Amin Vatankhah
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil.,Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Reza Panahizadeh
- Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil.,Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Farhad Jeddi
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
| | - Nowruz Najafzadeh
- Research Laboratory for Embryology and Stem Cells, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil
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6
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The Role of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase as a Potential Target of Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11050647. [PMID: 31083406 PMCID: PMC6562911 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11050647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequent cancer worldwide with a very high recurrence rate and very dismal prognosis. Diagnosis and treatment in HCC remain difficult, and the identification of new therapeutic targets is necessary for a better outcome of HCC treatment. AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) is an essential intracellular energy sensor that plays multiple roles in cellular physiology and the pathological development of chronic diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the important regulation of AMPK in HCC. This review aims to comprehensively and critically summarize the role of AMPK in HCC. Methods: Original studies were retrieved from NCBI database with keywords including AMPK and HCC, which were analyzed with extensive reading. Results: Dysregulation of the kinase activity and expression of AMPK was observed in HCC, which was correlated with survival of the patients. Loss of AMPK in HCC cells may proceed cell cycle progression, proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion through different oncogenic molecules and pathways. Conclusions: We identified several AMPK activators which may possess potential anti-HCC function, and discussed the clinical perspective on the use of AMPK activators for HCC therapy.
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7
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Brown SL, Kolozsvary A, Isrow DM, Al Feghali K, Lapanowski K, Jenrow KA, Kim JH. A Novel Mechanism of High Dose Radiation Sensitization by Metformin. Front Oncol 2019; 9:247. [PMID: 31024849 PMCID: PMC6465931 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Metformin, the most widely used treatment for diabetes, is lethal to cancer cells and increases in toxicity when used in combination with radiation. In addition to various molecular and metabolic mechanisms that have been previously proposed, the studies presented provide evidence of an additional, novel mechanism of sensitization following high dose radiotherapy; the magnitude of sensitization depends on the microenvironmental levels of glucose and oxygen which are in turn affected by high dose radiation. Methods: Cancer cells (A549 and MCF7) were studied in vitro under various controlled conditions. Endpoints included clonogenic cell survival and ROS expression measured by DHE and DCFDA. CD1 nu/nu athymic mice implanted with A549 cells received metformin alone (200 mg/kg, i.p.), radiation alone (15 Gy) or a combination of metformin and radiation; the effect of treatment sequence on efficacy was assessed by tumor growth delay and histology. In a separate set of experiments, tumor blood flow was measured using a tracer clearance technique using SPECT after the administration of metformin alone, radiation alone and the combined treatment. Results:In vivo, metformin provided equally effective tumor growth delay when given 24 h after radiation as when given 1 h or 4 h before radiation, an observation not previously reported and, in fact, unexpected based on published scientific literature. When drug followed radiation, the tumors were histologically characterized by massive cellular necrosis. In vitro, cancer cells when glucose depleted and/or hypoxic were preferentially killed by metformin, in a drug dose dependent manner. A549 cells exposed to 5.0 mM of metformin was reduced seven fold in survival when in a glucose deprived as compared to a low-glucose medium (0 vs. 1.0 g/L). Finally, using a SPECT detector to follow the washout of a radioactive tracer, it was shown that a high single dose of radiosurgery (15 Gy) could dramatically inhibit blood flow and presumably diminish glucose and oxygen. Discussion: Insight into the best timing of drug and radiation administration is gained through an understanding of the mechanisms of interaction. A new mechanism of metformin sensitization by high dose radiation is proposed based on the blood flow, glucose and oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Brown
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Andrew Kolozsvary
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Derek M Isrow
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Karine Al Feghali
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Karen Lapanowski
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Kenneth A Jenrow
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States.,Department of Psychology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, United States
| | - Jae Ho Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, United States
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8
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Zhou J, Han S, Qian W, Gu Y, Li X, Yang K. Metformin induces miR-378 to downregulate the CDK1, leading to suppression of cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2018; 11:4451-4459. [PMID: 30104887 PMCID: PMC6074828 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s167614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin is one of the extensively and most commonly used oral antihyperglycemic agents, but it has been shown to exert antineoplastic effects in many cancer cells. Recent studies have confirmed that metformin has an antitumor effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect needs to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,
| | - Sheng Han
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, .,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China,
| | - Weichun Qian
- Division of Cardiology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Gu
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,
| | - Xiangcheng Li
- Hepatobiliary Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China, .,Key Laboratory of Liver Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China,
| | - Kunxing Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,
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9
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Wang L, Min Z, Wang X, Hu M, Song D, Ren Z, Cheng Y, Wang Y. Arsenic trioxide and sorafenib combination therapy for human hepatocellular carcinoma functions via up-regulation of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:3341-3350. [PMID: 30127933 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival benefits of sorafenib treatment for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are limited due to drug resistance and side effects. Therefore, combinations of sorafenib with other low toxicity drugs, including arsenic trioxide (As2O3) require investigation. The present study aimed to evaluate the potency of apoptosis-induction by As2O3/sorafenib treatment in HCC cell lines, Huh7, 97H and freshly-isolated HCC cells, and also to elucidate the underlying mechanism. A total of 10 patients with HCC were enrolled in the present study. Freshly-isolated HCC cells were purified from HCC tissues collected at surgery. HCC-cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry using proprium iodide/Annexin-V staining. The impacts of As2O3 and/or sorafenib on Huh7, 97H and fresh-isolated HCC-cell proliferation were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The expression of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The downregulation of TRAIL protein expression was achieved using small interfering RNA. The combination of As2O3 and sorafenib had anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in the liver cancer cell line, Huh7, via increased expression of TRAIL, but not in 97H cells. TRAIL-knockdown increased the drug-resistance of Huh7 cells. Freshly-isolated HCC cells were more sensitive to the As2O3 and sorafenib combination than the single drug treatments. Overall, the combination of As2O3 and sorafenib demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity in Huh7 and freshly-isolated HCC cells via a TRAIL-dependent pathway. This may be a potential therapeutic approach for advanced HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Wang
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Institute of Clinical Bioinformatics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhihui Min
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Institute of Clinical Bioinformatics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Institute of Clinical Bioinformatics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Mushuang Hu
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Dongli Song
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Institute of Clinical Bioinformatics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Zhenggang Ren
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Yunfeng Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Science, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Institute of Clinical Bioinformatics, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Department of Hematology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Department of Hematology, Zhongshan Hospital Qingpu Branch, Shanghai 201700, P.R. China
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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10
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Xia Y, Liu X, Liu B, Zhang X, Tian G. Enhanced antitumor activity of combined megestrol acetate and arsenic trioxide treatment in liver cancer cells. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:4047-4055. [PMID: 29581752 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.5905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is an aggressive malignancy with a very high fatality rate. Although megestrol acetate (MA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) have shown an antitumor effect in liver cancer cells, the therapeutic benefits of MA or ATO alone in patients with liver cancer were limited. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether the co-treatment of MA/ATO could enhance antitumor efficacy in liver cancer cell lines (Hep G2 and BEL 7402) and explore the underlying anti-cancer mechanisms. The cell viability, apoptotic response and expression levels of associated proteins were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry and western blotting, respectively. An xenograft model in nude mice bearing a Hep G2 tumor was used to estimate tumor growth in vivo. Co-treatment with MA/ATO markedly improved the inhibition of cell viability, enhanced apoptosis, and increased the phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 on liver cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the tumor growth in the murine Hep G2 cancer xenograft model was significantly inhibited by combined treatment with MA/ATO. The results indicated that MA/ATO combined treatment enhanced antitumor efficacy and possessed potential application for treating liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xia
- Department of Biotherapy Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Xianhao Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Beibei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoshi Zhang
- Department of Biotherapy Research Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, P.R. China
| | - Geng Tian
- Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518035, P.R. China
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11
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Yang X, Sun D, Dong C, Tian Y, Gao Z, Wang L. Pinin associates with prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through promoting cell proliferation and suppressing glucose deprivation-induced apoptosis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:39694-39704. [PMID: 27175589 PMCID: PMC5129963 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The roles of Pinin have been well studied in epithelial cell-cell adhesion and RNA alternative splicing, which suggests its involvement in cancer progression. However, little is known about the association between Pinin expression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumorigenesis. In this study we report increased expression of Pinin in HCC tissues and cells. Elevated levels of Pinin closely associates with pathological grade and overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Suppression of Pinin expression via lentivirus mediated shRNA knockdown inhibits HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, cell viability, but promotes glucose deprivation (GD)-induced cell apoptosis. On the contrary, overexpression of Pinin reverses these effects observed in Pinin depleted cells. Meanwhile, overexpression of Pinin attenuates GD initiated poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and ERK1/2 dephosphorylation, which can be completely blocked with MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Therefore, we conclude that Pinin contributes to HCC progression and resistance to GD-induced apoptosis via maintaining ERK1/2 activation and hence may be a potential therapeutic target in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejun Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116027, China.,Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Deguang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Chengyong Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Yu Tian
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Zhenming Gao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Liming Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
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12
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Metformin ameliorates arsenic trioxide hepatotoxicity via inhibiting mitochondrial complex I. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3159. [PMID: 29095437 PMCID: PMC5775401 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 08/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a well-accepted chemotherapy agent in managing promyelocytic leukemia. ATO often causes severe health hazards such as hepatotoxicity, dermatosis, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. The production of reactive oxygen species, (ROS) play a significant role in ATO-induced hepatotoxicity. The oral hypoglycemic drug, metformin, is considered to be a potential novel agent for chemoprevention in the treatment of cancer. Moreover, metformin has also been shown to have hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, we demonstrated that metformin protected normal hepatocytes from ATO-induced apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo. Gene expression screening revealed that glucose metabolism might be related to the metformin-induced protective effect on ATO-treated AML12 cells. The metformin-promoted or induced glycolysis was not responsible for the protection of AML12 cells from ATO-induced apoptotic cell death. Instead, metformin increased the intracellular NADH/NAD+ ratio by inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I, further decreasing the intracellular ROS induced by ATO. Treatment with low glucose or rotenone, a mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I inhibitor, also protected AML12 cells from ATO-induced apoptotic cell death. We show for the first time that metformin protects the hepatocyte from ATO by regulating the mitochondrial function. With its properties of chemoprevention, chemosensitization and the amelioration of liver damage, metformin has great prospects for clinical application other than type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
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13
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Zhou M, Zhang Q, Zhao J, Liao M, Wen S, Yang M. Phosphorylation of Bcl-2 plays an important role in glycochenodeoxycholate-induced survival and chemoresistance in HCC. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:1742-1750. [PMID: 28731137 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor and can evolve rapidly to resistance to chemotherapies. Glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDA), which is toxic and hydrophobic, is the main ingredient in the bile and associated with carcinogenesis of gastrointenstinal tumors. Bcl-2 is the most important anti-apoptotic protein and overexpressed in various human tumors. In the present study, we found that GCDA can induce the chemoresistance of human liver cancer cells and specific depletion of Bcl-2 by RNA interference blocks GCDA-stimulated chemoresistance, which indicate the pivotal role of Bcl-2 in such process. Mechanistically, GCDA simultaneously stimulates phosphorylation of Bcl-2 at Ser70 site and activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 (MAPK/ERK1/2 inhibitor) or siRNA (targeting ERK1/2) suppresses GCDA-stimulated phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and significantly attenuates the survival and chemoresistance induced by GCDA in liver cancer cells. Thus, GCDA-induced survival and chemoresistance of liver cancer cells may occur through activation of Bcl-2 by phosphorylation at Ser70 site through MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway, which may contribute to the development of human liver cancer and chemoresistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maojun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Proteomics of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Jinfeng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiological Technology of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Mingmei Liao
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiological Technology of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
| | - Sailan Wen
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Manyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Nanobiological Technology of Chinese Ministry of Health, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
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14
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Zhang Q, Kong J, Dong S, Xu W, Sun W. Metformin exhibits the anti-proliferation and anti-invasion effects in hepatocellular carcinoma cells after insufficient radiofrequency ablation. Cancer Cell Int 2017; 17:48. [PMID: 28450808 PMCID: PMC5404300 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The mechanisms and prevention of progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after insufficient radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been preliminarily investigated, therefore, new strategy needs to be investigated to prevent the process. Whether metformin could be used to inhibit the growth of HCC after insufficient RFA and further prevent the progression of residual HCC remains unclearly. Methods MTT assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay were used to observe the cell viability, migration and invasion. Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods were used to observe the expression of proteins. Xenograft model was used to evaluate the growth of HCC cells in vivo. Results Metformin inhibited the enhanced proliferation, migration and invasion of HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells after insufficient RFA (named as HepG2-H and SMMC7721-H). Metformin deregulated the expression of p-Akt in HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells after insufficient RFA through AMPK/PTEN pathway. HepG2-H cells also exhibited larger tumor size in vivo. Higher expression of Ki-67 and CD31 and lower expression of E-cadherin were observed in HepG2-H tumors. Metformin blocked the enhanced growth of HepG2 cells in vivo after insufficient RFA. Metformin had no apparent toxicity on nude mice. Conclusions Metfromin inhibited the growth of HCC cells after insufficient RFA, and may be used to prevent the progression of HCC after RFA. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12935-017-0418-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100043 China.,Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Hebei, 067000 China
| | - Jian Kong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100043 China
| | - Shuying Dong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100043 China
| | - Wenlei Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100043 China
| | - Wenbing Sun
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Beijing Chao-yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100043 China
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15
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Ling S, Xie H, Yang F, Shan Q, Dai H, Zhuo J, Wei X, Song P, Zhou L, Xu X, Zheng S. Metformin potentiates the effect of arsenic trioxide suppressing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: roles of p38 MAPK, ERK3, and mTORC1. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:59. [PMID: 28241849 PMCID: PMC5329912 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0424-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is commonly used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), but does not benefit patients with solid tumors. When combined with other agents or radiation, ATO showed treatment benefits with manageable toxicity. Previously, we reported that metformin amplified the inhibitory effect of ATO on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cells more significantly than other agents. Here, we investigated the chemotherapeutic sensitization effect of metformin in ATO-based treatment in ICC in vitro and in vivo and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods ICC cell lines (CCLP-1, RBE, and HCCC-9810) were treated with metformin and/or ATO; the anti-proliferation effect was evaluated by cell viability, cell apoptosis, cell cycle, and intracellular-reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. The in vivo efficacy was determined in nude mice with CCLP-1 xenografts. The active status of AMPK/p38 MAPK and mTORC1 pathways was detected by western blot. In addition, an antibody array was used screening more than 200 molecules clustered in 12 cancer-related pathways in CCLP-1 cells treated with metformin and/or ATO. Methods of genetic modulation and pharmacology were further used to demonstrate the relationship of the molecule. Seventy-three tumor samples from ICC patients were used to detect the expression of ERK3 by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between ERK3 and the clinical information of ICC patients were further analyzed. Results Metformin and ATO synergistically inhibited proliferation of ICC cells by promoting cell apoptosis, inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and increasing intracellular ROS. Combined treatment with metformin and ATO efficiently reduced ICC growth in an ICC xenograft model. Mechanistically, the antibody array revealed that ERK3 exhibited the highest variation in CCLP-1 cells after treatment with metformin and ATO. Results of western blot confirm that metformin and ATO cooperated to inhibit mTORC1, activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and upregulate ERK3. Metformin abrogated the activation of p38 MAPK induced by ATO, and this activity was partially dependent on AMPK activation. Inactivation of p38 MAPK by SB203580 or specific short interfering RNA (siRNA) promoted the inactivation of mTORC1 in ICC cells treated with metformin and ATO. Activation of p38 MAPK may be responsible for resistance to ATO in ICC. The relationship between p38 MAPK and ERK3 was not defined by our findings. Finally, AMPK is a newfound positive regulator of ERK3. Overexpression of EKR3 in ICC cells inhibited cell proliferation through inactivation of mTORC1. ERK3 expression is associated with a better prognosis in ICC patients. Conclusions Metformin sensitizes arsenic trioxide to suppress intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma via the regulation of AMPK/p38 MAPK-ERK3/mTORC1 pathways. ERK3 is a newfound potential prognostic predictor and a tumor suppressor in ICC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13045-017-0424-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunbin Ling
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiaonan Shan
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haojiang Dai
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianyong Zhuo
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuyong Wei
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Penghong Song
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shusen Zheng
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine,, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Combined Multi-organ Transplantation, Ministry of Public Health, Hangzhou, China. .,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
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16
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Tsai HH, Lai HY, Chen YC, Li CF, Huang HS, Liu HS, Tsai YS, Wang JM. Metformin promotes apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma through the CEBPD-induced autophagy pathway. Oncotarget 2017; 8:13832-13845. [PMID: 28099155 PMCID: PMC5355142 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metformin, as an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, can activate autophagy. A study showed that metformin decreased the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in diabetic patients. However, the detailed mechanism in the metformin-mediated anticancer effect remains an open question. Transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD) has been suggested to serve as a tumor suppressor and is responsive to multiple anticancer drugs in HCC. In this study, we found that CEBPD and autophagy are involved in metformin-induced cell apoptosis in Huh7 cells. The underlying mechanisms in this process included a reduction in Src-mediated CEBPD protein degradation and an increase in CEBPD-regulated LC3B and ATG3 gene transcription under metformin treatment. We also found that AMPK is involved in metformin-induced CEBPD expression. Combined treatment with metformin and rapamycin can enhance autophagic cell death through the AMPK-dependent and AMPK-independent pathway, respectively. Taken together, we provide a new insight and therapeutic approach by targeting autophagy in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Hwa Tsai
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biosignal Transduction, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yue Lai
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yueh-Chiu Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Feng Li
- Department of Pathology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Huei-Sheng Huang
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Sheng Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yau-Sheng Tsai
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Ming Wang
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biosignal Transduction, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Shen L, Zhang G, Lou Z, Xu G, Zhang G. Cryptotanshinone enhances the effect of Arsenic trioxide in treating liver cancer cell by inducing apoptosis through downregulating phosphorylated- STAT3 in vitro and in vivo. Altern Ther Health Med 2017; 17:106. [PMID: 28187727 PMCID: PMC5303285 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1548-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is approved for treating terminal-stage liver cancer in China. Cryptotanshinone (CT), a STAT3 inhibitor, has exhibited certain anti-tumor potency; however, the use of CT enhanced ATO for treating liver cancer has not been reported. Here we try to elucidate how CT could enhance the efficacy of ATO for treating liver cancer and its correlation to STAT3 in vitro and in vivo. Methods Cell viability of ATO combined with CT was assessed by 1MTT assay. Cell apoptosis induced by ATO combined with CT was detected by Annexin V/PI staining and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western blotting. STAT3-related proteins were analysis by western blotting analysis and Immunofluorescence assays. Efficacy evaluation of ATO combined with CT on xenograft was carried in nude mice and related proteins were analysis by Immunohistochemistry assays. Results First we evaluated cell vitality, and our data indicated that the ATO combined with CT showed obvious growth inhibition of Bel-7404 cells compared to ATO or CT alone. Next we found that ATO combined with CT induced cell apoptosis in Bel-7404 cells and upregulated the activation of apoptosis-related proteins cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, and cleaved-poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in a time-dependent manner. Next, we found that ATO combined with CT not only inhibited the constitutive levels of phosphorylated-JAK2 and phosphorylated-STAT3Tyr705 but did so in a time-dependent manner. We also found that ATO combined with CT reversed the upregulated expression of phosphorylated-STAT3Tyr705 stimulated by interleukin-6 and downregulated STAT3 direct target genes and the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, XIAP, and survivin but obviously upregulated the promoting apoptosis proteins Bak,.In vivo studies showed that ATO combined with CT decreased tumor growth. Tumors from ATO combined with CT–treated mice showed decreased levels of phosphorylated-STAT3Tyr705 and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 but an increased level of pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Conclusions Our study provides strong evidence that CT could enhance the efficacy of ATO in treating liver cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Downregulation of phosphorylated-STAT3 expression may play an important role in inducing apoptosis of Bel-7404 cells.
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18
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Liu Y, Gao F, Song W. Periostin contributes to arsenic trioxide resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells under hypoxia. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 88:342-348. [PMID: 28119236 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia has been suggested to induce chemoresistance in tumor cells. In this study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α)/periostin axis might promote arsenic trioxide resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells under hypoxia. HCC cells were exposed to hypoxia and measured for periostin expression. Loss-of-function studies were done to assess the role of periostin in arsenic trioxide resistance. In vivo xenograft mouse studies were performed to determine the effect of periostin silencing on HCC susceptibility to arsenic trioxide. It was found that periostin expression was significantly increased in SMMC7721 and Hep3B HCC cells after hypoxic treatment. Depletion of HIF-1α blocked the upregulation of periostin induced by hypoxia. HCC cells under hypoxia displayed more resistant to arsenic trioxide than those under normoxia. Interestingly, downregulation of periostin re-sensitized hypoxic SMMC7721 and Hep3B cells to arsenic trioxide, which was accompanied by increased apoptosis. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that periostin overexpression enhanced HIF-1α-dependent transcriptional activity and induced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, Mcl-1, and Bcl-xL in SMMC7721 cells. Administration of arsenic trioxide resulted in a significant inhibition of SMMC7721 tumor growth. Notably, downregulation of periostin significantly enhanced the anticancer effect of arsenic trioxide against SMMC7721 tumors and reduced the percentage of Ki-67-positive proliferating cells. Taken together, periostin contributes to arsenic trioxide resistance in HCC under hypoxic microenvironment, which is likely associated with promotion of HIF-1α-dependent activation of survival genes. Targeting periostin may represent a promising strategy to improve arsenic trioxide-based anticancer therapy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Liu
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weixiang Song
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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19
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Wang L, Hu X, Xu Y, Liu Z. Arsenic trioxide inhibits lung metastasis of mouse colon cancer via reducing the infiltration of regulatory T cells. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:15165-15173. [PMID: 27677289 PMCID: PMC5126207 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5377-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on the infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the local lung metastasis of mouse colon cancer in vivo and the regulation of Tregs in cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKs) in vitro. A high Tregs infiltration mouse colon cancer lung metastasis model was established by intravenous injection of CT26 murine colon carcinoma cells. Tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, low-dose As2O3 group, and high-dose As2O3 group. For in vitro studies, CIKs were treated with vehicle control or 0.1, 1, or 5 μM As2O3. The level of Tregs was detected via flow cytometry, Foxp3 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the level of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), and the cytotoxic activity of As2O3-treated CIKs was assessed through a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Obvious lung metastasis was observed 3 days after CT26 murine colon carcinoma cell injection. The numbers of Tregs in the lungs and spleens of tumor-bearing mice were significantly higher than those of the normal group (p < 0.01). As2O3 treatment increased the mouse weight as well as reduced the number of metastatic lung nodules and the lung/body weight ratio (p < 0.01). Moreover, As2O3 treatment significantly reduced the Tregs proportion and the Foxp3 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in metastatic lung tissues (p < 0.01). In vitro, As2O3 significantly reduced the Tregs proportion and the Foxp3 mRNA levels (p < 0.01) and significantly increased the cytotoxic activity of CIKs and the IFN-γ levels in the supernatant of cultured CIKs (p < 0.01). As2O3 might inhibit lung metastasis of colon cancer by reducing the local infiltration of Tregs and increase the cytotoxic activity of CIKs by suppressing Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China.,Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Institute of Hepatobiliary Disease of Wuhan University, Transplant Center of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Medical Technology on Transplantatation, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiang Hu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Yingxin Xu
- Institute of General Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Zhong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China. .,Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, No. 222, Zhongshan Road, Dalian, 116011, China.
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20
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Zhang HH, Guo XL. Combinational strategies of metformin and chemotherapy in cancers. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2016; 78:13-26. [PMID: 27118574 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-016-3037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapeutic regimens are the most common treatment to inhibit tumor growth, but there is great variability in clinical responses of cancer patients; cancer cells often develop resistance to chemotherapeutics which results in tumor recurrence and further progression. Metformin, an extensively prescribed and well-tolerated first-line therapeutic drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus, has recently been identified as a potential and attractive anticancer adjuvant drug combined with chemotherapeutic drugs to improve treatment efficacy and lower doses. In this review, we summarized the molecular mechanisms underlying anticancer effects of metformin, which included insulin- and AMPK-dependent effects, selectively targeting cancer stem cells, reversing multidrug resistance, inhibition of the tumor metastasis and described the antineoplastic effects of metformin combined with chemotherapeutic agents in digestive system cancers (colorectal, gastric, hepatic and pancreatic cancer), reproductive system cancers (ovarian and endometrial cancer), prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, etc. Moreover, the clinical trials regarding metformin in combination of chemotherapeutic drugs were presented and the clinical obstacle or limitation related to the potential role of metformin in cancer treatment was also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hui Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, No. 44 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Li Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, No. 44 Wen Hua Xi Road, Jinan, 250012, People's Republic of China.
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21
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Metformin and AICAR regulate NANOG expression via the JNK pathway in HepG2 cells independently of AMPK. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:11199-208. [PMID: 26939902 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
NANOG, a marker of stemness, impacts tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in cancer cells. In human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), upregulation of NANOG is associated with metastasis and a low survival rate, while its downregulation results in a lower colony formation rate and enhanced chemosensitivity. Metformin, an agent widely used for diabetes treatment, and AICAR, another AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, have been reported to inhibit the growth of several types of cancer. Although inhibitory effects of metformin on NANOG in pancreatic cancer cells and of AICAR in mouse embryonic stem cells have been described, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain uncertain in HCC. In this study, we used the HepG2 cell line and found that metformin/AICAR downregulated NANOG expression with decreased cell viability and enhanced chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Moreover, metformin/AICAR inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity, and blockade of either the JNK MAPK pathway or knockdown of JNK1 gene expression reduced NANOG levels. The upregulation of NANOG and phospho-JNK by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was abrogated by metformin/AICAR. Additionally, although transient upregulation of NANOG within 2 h of treatment with metformin/AICAR was concordant with both JNK and AMPK activation, increased NANOG expression with activation of JNK was also observed following AMPK inhibition with compound C. Taken together, our data suggest that metformin/AICAR regulate NANOG expression via the JNK MAPK pathway in HepG2 cells independently of AMPK, and that this JNK/NANOG signaling pathway may offer new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of HCC.
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PARK CHEOL, JEONG JISUK, JEONG JINWOO, KIM YONGJOO, JUNG YEONKWON, GO GEUNBAE, KIM SUNGOK, KIM GIYOUNG, HONG SUHYUN, YOO YOUNGHYUN, CHOI YUNGHYUN. Ethanol extract of Kalopanax septemlobus leaf induces caspase-dependent apoptosis associated with activation of AMPK in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Int J Oncol 2015; 48:261-70. [DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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