1
|
Li GH, Miao Y, Chen H, Xue MF, Wang JY, Zhang JW, Yi ZF, Sun ZL. The small-molecule drug homoharringtonine targets HSF1 to suppress pancreatic cancer progression. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:2072-2087. [PMID: 38859866 PMCID: PMC11162665 DOI: 10.62347/xfjh3424] [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: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), an essential transcription factor for stress response, is exploited by various tumors to facilitate their initiation, progression, invasion, and migration. Amplification of HSF1 is widely regarded as an indicator in predicting cancer severity, the likelihood of treatment failure and reduced patient survival. Notably, HSF1 is markedly amplified in 40% of pancreatic cancer (PC), which typically have limited treatment options. HSF1 has been proven to be a promising therapeutic target for multiple cancers. However, a direct small molecule HSF1 inhibitor with sufficient bioactivity and reliable safety has not been developed clinically. In this study, we successfully established a high-throughput screening system utilizing luciferase reporter assay specifically designed for HSF1, which leads to the discovery of a potent small molecule inhibitor targeting HSF1. Homoharringtonine (HHT) selectively inhibited PC cell viability with high HSF1 expression and induced a markedly stronger tumor regression effect in the subcutaneous xenograft model than the comparator drug KRIBB11, known for its direct action on HSF1. Moreover, HHT shows promise in countering the resistance encountered with HSP90 inhibitors, which have been observed to increase heat shock response intensity in clinical trials. Mechanistically, HHT directly bound to HSF1, suppressing its expression and thereby inhibiting transcription of HSF1 target genes. In conclusion, our work presents a preclinical discovery and validation for HHT as a HSF1 inhibitor for PC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Hong Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou 510515, Guangdong, P. R. China
- Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityShanghai 201499, P. R. China
| | - Ying Miao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Huang Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Fei Xue
- Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityShanghai 201499, P. R. China
| | - Jia-Yu Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Wen Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Zheng-Fang Yi
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal UniversityShanghai 200241, P. R. China
| | - Zhen-Liang Sun
- Affiliated Fengxian Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityShanghai 201499, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Uddin MH, Zhang D, Muqbil I, El-Rayes BF, Chen H, Philip PA, Azmi AS. Deciphering cellular plasticity in pancreatic cancer for effective treatments. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2024; 43:393-408. [PMID: 38194153 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Cellular plasticity and therapy resistance are critical features of pancreatic cancer, a highly aggressive and fatal disease. The pancreas, a vital organ that produces digestive enzymes and hormones, is often affected by two main types of cancer: the pre-dominant ductal adenocarcinoma and the less common neuroendocrine tumors. These cancers are difficult to treat due to their complex biology characterized by cellular plasticity leading to therapy resistance. Cellular plasticity refers to the capability of cancer cells to change and adapt to different microenvironments within the body which includes acinar-ductal metaplasia, epithelial to mesenchymal/epigenetic/metabolic plasticity, as well as stemness. This plasticity allows heterogeneity of cancer cells, metastasis, and evasion of host's immune system and develops resistance to radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. To overcome this resistance, extensive research is ongoing exploring the intrinsic and extrinsic factors through cellular reprogramming, chemosensitization, targeting metabolic, key survival pathways, etc. In this review, we discussed the mechanisms of cellular plasticity involving cellular adaptation and tumor microenvironment and provided a comprehensive understanding of its role in therapy resistance and ways to overcome it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Md Hafiz Uddin
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Dingqiang Zhang
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Irfana Muqbil
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075, USA
| | - Bassel F El-Rayes
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Herbert Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Philip A Philip
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
- Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Asfar S Azmi
- Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4100 John R, HWCRC 740, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Singh S, Kaushik AC, Gupta H, Jhinjharia D, Sahi S. Identification of Prognostic Markers and Potential Therapeutic Targets using Gene Expression Profiling and Simulation Studies in Pancreatic Cancer. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2024; 20:955-973. [PMID: 37711100 DOI: 10.2174/1573409920666230914100826] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5-year relative survival rate of less than 10% making it one of the most fatal cancers. A lack of early measures of prognosis, challenges in molecular targeted therapy, ineffective adjuvant chemotherapy, and strong resistance to chemotherapy cumulatively make pancreatic cancer challenging to manage. OBJECTIVE The present study aims to enhance understanding of the disease mechanism and its progression by identifying prognostic biomarkers, potential drug targets, and candidate drugs that can be used for therapy in pancreatic cancer. METHODS Gene expression profiles from the GEO database were analyzed to identify reliable prognostic markers and potential drug targets. The disease's molecular mechanism and biological pathways were studied by investigating gene ontologies, KEGG pathways, and survival analysis to understand the strong prognostic power of key DEGs. FDA-approved anti-cancer drugs were screened through cell line databases, and docking studies were performed to identify drugs with high affinity for ARNTL2 and PIK3C2A. Molecular dynamic simulations of drug targets ARNTL2 and PIK3C2A in their native state and complex with nilotinib were carried out for 100 ns to validate their therapeutic potential in PDAC. RESULTS Differentially expressed genes that are crucial regulators, including SUN1, PSMG3, PIK3C2A, SCRN1, and TRIAP1, were identified. Nilotinib as a candidate drug was screened using sensitivity analysis on CCLE and GDSC pancreatic cancer cell lines. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the underlying mechanism of the binding of nilotinib with ARNTL2 and PIK3C2A and the dynamic perturbations. It validated nilotinib as a promising drug for pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION This study accounts for prognostic markers, drug targets, and repurposed anti-cancer drugs to highlight their usefulness for translational research on developing novel therapies. Our results revealed potential and prospective clinical applications in drug targets ARNTL2, EGFR, and PI3KC2A for pancreatic cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samvedna Singh
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | | | - Himanshi Gupta
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Divya Jhinjharia
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Shakti Sahi
- School of Biotechnology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bogut A, Stojanovic B, Jovanovic M, Dimitrijevic Stojanovic M, Gajovic N, Stojanovic BS, Balovic G, Jovanovic M, Lazovic A, Mirovic M, Jurisevic M, Jovanovic I, Mladenovic V. Galectin-1 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Bridging Tumor Biology, Immune Evasion, and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15500. [PMID: 37958483 PMCID: PMC10650903 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115500] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with a complex interplay of molecular pathways contributing to its aggressive nature. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a member of the galectin family, has emerged as a pivotal player in the PDAC microenvironment, influencing various aspects from tumor growth and angiogenesis to immune modulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of Galectin-1 in PDAC. We delve into its contributions to tumor stroma remodeling, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and potential implications for therapeutic interventions. The challenges associated with targeting Gal-1 are discussed, given its pleiotropic functions and complexities in different cellular conditions. Additionally, the promising prospects of Gal-1 inhibition, including the utilization of nanotechnology and theranostics, are highlighted. By integrating recent findings and shedding light on the intricacies of Gal-1's involvement in PDAC, this review aims to provide insights that could guide future research and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bogut
- City Medical Emergency Department, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Bojan Stojanovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (G.B.)
- Department of General Surgery, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Marina Jovanovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.J.); (V.M.)
| | | | - Nevena Gajovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Bojana S. Stojanovic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Goran Balovic
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (B.S.); (G.B.)
| | - Milan Jovanovic
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Military Medical Academy, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandar Lazovic
- Department of General Surgery, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Milos Mirovic
- Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Kotor, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro;
| | - Milena Jurisevic
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Ivan Jovanovic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
| | - Violeta Mladenovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia; (M.J.); (V.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhu Z, Li W, Gong M, Wang L, Yue Y, Qian W, Zhou C, Duan W, Han L, Li L, Wu Z, Ma Q, Lin M, Wang S, Wang Z. Piezo1 act as a potential oncogene in pancreatic cancer progression. Life Sci 2022; 310:121035. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
6
|
PAR2 promotes tumor-associated angiogenesis in lung adenocarcinoma through activating EGFR pathway. Tissue Cell 2022; 79:101918. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2022.101918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
7
|
Laser Capture Microdissection: A Gear for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314566. [PMID: 36498893 PMCID: PMC9741023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The advancement in molecular techniques has been attributed to the quality and significance of cancer research. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the rare cancers with aggressive behavior and a high mortality rate. The asymptomatic nature of the disease until its advanced stage has resulted in late diagnosis as well as poor prognosis. The heterogeneous character of PC has complicated cancer development and progression studies. The analysis of bulk tissues of the disease was insufficient to understand the disease, hence, the introduction of the single-cell separating technique aided researchers to decipher more about the specific cell population of tumors. This review gives an overview of the Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) technique, one of the single-cell separation methods used in PC research.
Collapse
|
8
|
Extrachromosomal circular DNA: biogenesis, structure, functions and diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:342. [PMID: 36184613 PMCID: PMC9527254 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01176-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA), ranging in size from tens to millions of base pairs, is independent of conventional chromosomes. Recently, eccDNAs have been considered an unanticipated major source of somatic rearrangements, contributing to genomic remodeling through chimeric circularization and reintegration of circular DNA into the linear genome. In addition, the origin of eccDNA is considered to be associated with essential chromatin-related events, including the formation of super-enhancers and DNA repair machineries. Moreover, our understanding of the properties and functions of eccDNA has continuously and greatly expanded. Emerging investigations demonstrate that eccDNAs serve as multifunctional molecules in various organisms during diversified biological processes, such as epigenetic remodeling, telomere trimming, and the regulation of canonical signaling pathways. Importantly, its special distribution potentiates eccDNA as a measurable biomarker in many diseases, especially cancers. The loss of eccDNA homeostasis facilitates tumor initiation, malignant progression, and heterogeneous evolution in many cancers. An in-depth understanding of eccDNA provides novel insights for precision cancer treatment. In this review, we summarized the discovery history of eccDNA, discussed the biogenesis, characteristics, and functions of eccDNA. Moreover, we emphasized the role of eccDNA during tumor pathogenesis and malignant evolution. Therapeutically, we summarized potential clinical applications that target aberrant eccDNA in multiple diseases.
Collapse
|
9
|
Pariollaud M, Ibrahim LH, Irizarry E, Mello RM, Chan AB, Altman BJ, Shaw RJ, Bollong MJ, Wiseman RL, Lamia KA. Circadian disruption enhances HSF1 signaling and tumorigenesis in Kras-driven lung cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo1123. [PMID: 36170373 PMCID: PMC9519049 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo1123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Disrupted circadian rhythmicity is a prominent feature of modern society and has been designated as a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization. However, the biological mechanisms that connect circadian disruption and cancer risk remain largely undefined. We demonstrate that exposure to chronic circadian disruption [chronic jetlag (CJL)] increases tumor burden in a mouse model of KRAS-driven lung cancer. Molecular characterization of tumors and tumor-bearing lung tissues revealed that CJL enhances the expression of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) target genes. Consistently, exposure to CJL disrupted the highly rhythmic nuclear trafficking of HSF1 in the lung, resulting in an enhanced accumulation of HSF1 in the nucleus. HSF1 has been shown to promote tumorigenesis in other systems, and we find that pharmacological or genetic inhibition of HSF1 reduces the growth of KRAS-mutant human lung cancer cells. These findings implicate HSF1 as a molecular link between circadian disruption and enhanced tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marie Pariollaud
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lara H. Ibrahim
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Emanuel Irizarry
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Rebecca M. Mello
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Alanna B. Chan
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Brian J. Altman
- Department of Biomedical Genetics and Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Reuben J. Shaw
- Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Michael J. Bollong
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - R. Luke Wiseman
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Katja A. Lamia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xu H, Chen R, Shen Q, Yang D, Peng H, Tong J, Fu Q. Overexpression of Circular RNA circ_0013587 Reverses Erlotinib Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Cells Through Regulating the miR-1227/E-Cadherin Pathway. Front Oncol 2021; 11:754146. [PMID: 34552882 PMCID: PMC8450525 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.754146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Erlotinib, a small-molecule epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against pancreatic cancer. However, acquired resistance to erlotinib in pancreatic cancer is widely observed, and the exact mechanisms have not been fully explored until now. We examined the role of circular RNA circ_0013587 in the acquired resistance to erlotinib in pancreatic cancer cells and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods We selected erlotinib-resistant pancreatic cancer cells from the AsPC-1 cell line. The expression of circ_0013587 was examined by qRT-PCR assays. The effects of circ_0013587 on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and erlotinib resistance were assessed by cell functional assays. Bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays identified circ_0013587 and E-cadherin as direct targets of miR-1227. Mouse xenograft models were employed to investigate the function of circ_0013587 in erlotinib resistance of tumors in vivo. Results Circ_0013587 expression was significantly reduced in erlotinib-resistant AsPC-1 cells. We found that increasing circ_0013587 levels in erlotinib-resistant AsPC-1 cells re-sensitized them, whereas reducing circ_0013587 levels in erlotinib-sensitive AsPC-1 cells made them resistant. Mechanically, circ_0013587 released E-cadherin from the suppression of miR-1227, leading to E-cadherin up-regulation. Rescue assays highlighted that circ_0013587 reversed erlotinib resistance in pancreatic cancer cells by increasing E-cadherin levels through reducing the expression of miR-1227. Furthermore, circ_0013587 overexpression sensitized erlotinib-resistant AsPC-1 cells to erlotinib in xenograft models. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that down-regulation of circ_0013587 contributes to acquired resistance to erlotinib in pancreatic cancer cells through mediating the miR-1227/E-cadherin pathway and that circ_0013587 is a potential target molecular to overcome erlotinib resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiting Xu
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Runzhi Chen
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian Shen
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongmei Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Tong
- Department of PICC, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang K, Miao X, Kong F, Huang S, Mo J, Jin C, Zheng Y. Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification to Explore the Mechanism of Effect of Zuojin Pills in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2021; 15:3749-3764. [PMID: 34511884 PMCID: PMC8427689 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s323360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aim Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant tumors worldwide. Zuojin pills (ZJP), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, which can treat a variety of cancers. However, the active compounds present in ZJP and the potential mechanisms through which ZJP acts against pancreatic cancer have not been thoroughly investigated. Methods Data on pancreatic cancer-related genes, bioactive compounds, and potential targets of ZJP were downloaded from public databases. Bioinformatics analysis, including protein–protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, was conducted to identify important components, potential targets, and signaling pathways through which ZJP affects pancreatic cancer. The results of this analysis were verified by in vitro experiments. Results The network pharmacology analysis results showed that 41 compounds and 130 putative target genes of ZJP were associated with anti-pancreatic cancer effects. ZJP may exert its inhibitory effects against pancreatic cancer by acting on key targets such as JUN, TP53, and MAPK1. Moreover, KEGG analysis indicated that the anti-pancreatic cancer effect of ZJP was mediated by multiple pathways, such as the PI3K-AKT, IL-17, TNF, HIF-1, and P53 signaling pathways. Among these, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, which included the highest number of enriched genes, may play a more important role in treating pancreatic cancer. The in vitro results showed that ZJP significantly inhibits the cell cycle and cell proliferation through the PI3K/AKT/caspase pathway and that it can induce apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells, consistent with the results predicted by network pharmacological methods. Conclusion This study preliminarily investigated the pharmacological effects of ZJP, which appear to be mediated by multiple compounds, targets and pathways, and its potential therapeutic effect on pancreatic cancer. Importantly, our work provides a promising approach for the identification of compounds in TCM and the characterization of therapeutic mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kunpeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiongying Miao
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanhua Kong
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Siqi Huang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinggang Mo
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Chong Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanwen Zheng
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|