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Cao F, Gu C, Hong W, Jin Y. Advances in monotherapy and combination therapy of S-1 for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a narrative review. Transl Cancer Res 2024; 13:2012-2025. [PMID: 38737682 PMCID: PMC11082661 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-23-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objective Both domestically and worldwide, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain the leading cause of cancer-related death. As a fluorouracil derivative, S-1 which shows good efficacy and with few adverse effects have been widely confirmed in many solid tumors that it can provide a glimmer of hope for advanced NSCLC patients. We performed a review to explore the results of previous clinical studies of S-1 monotherapy as well as combined therapy involving S-1 in patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods A literature search was conducted in Medline and PubMed databases using the keywords "S-1" AND "Advanced lung cancer" OR "Pharmacological mechanism". Key Content and Findings A number of phase II clinical studies have reported on the favorable efficacy and excellent safety profiles of S-1 monotherapy in first-line or in posterior-line treatment for advanced NSCLC. In regard to S-1 in combination with chemotherapy, a number of phase II/III clinical studies have found the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of these regimens are similar to or better than immunological monotherapy with fewer adverse effects. In the case of S-1 combined with anti-vascular therapy, a number of phase II single-arm clinical studies have found that S-1 combined with bevacizumab, anlotinib and apatinib in advanced NSCLC, exhibits higher antitumor activity, less adverse effects for patients with advanced NSCLC. A phase II single-arm clinical study of gefitinib combined with S-1 had the ORR of 85.7% in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC. As for the combination of S-1 and immunotherapy, preliminary results of a phase II retrospective clinical trial demonstrated that the ORR was significantly better with S-1 sequential after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) than with S-1 alone. Conclusions The findings indicate promising effectiveness and minimal toxicity with S-1 monotherapy and S-1 containing combined therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC to provide a potential treatment option for advanced NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyi Cao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Medical Oncology, Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China
| | - Cuiping Gu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Hong
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, China
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Zhan D, Chen Z, Yang D, Wen J, Liu W. Clinical Effect of Apatinib Mesylate Tablets Combined with Paclitaxel Concurrent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in the First-Line Treatment of Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Emerg Med Int 2022; 2022:6293816. [PMID: 35990372 PMCID: PMC9388316 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6293816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with paclitaxel in the first-line treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods From March 2016 to June 2018, 114 patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who received first-line treatment in our hospital were selected as the patient group, and those who received apatinib combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy were selected as the research group (n = 54), while those who received paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy were selected as the control group (n = 60). Sixty healthy individuals in our hospital were recruited in the same period as the healthy group. The clinical effective rate, adverse reactions, 2-year overall survival rate (OS), 2-year progression-free survival rate (PFS), and quality of life were compared between the two groups, and the expression of miR-655 in the serum of each group was tested by RT-qPCR. Results The total clinical effective rate of the research group was higher than that of the control group, and the 2-year OS and PFS of the research group were also higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Both groups of patients could tolerate the treatment, but the incidence of hypertension and proteinuria in the research group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of miR-655 in the serum of patients was lower than that of the healthy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, miR-655 in serum increased in both the groups and miR-655 in the research group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The 2-year survival rate of OS and PFS in patients with low expression of miR-655 was significantly lower than that in patients with high expression of miR-655 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Apatinib combined with paclitaxel concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which improves the quality of life of patients and can be popularized in clinical practice. In addition, the increase of miR-655 may be a target for treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dechao Zhan
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zihong Chen
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Donghong Yang
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiyu Wen
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong, China
| | - Wanwan Liu
- Cancer Center, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, Guangdong, China
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Yan Y, Li H, Wu S, Wang G, Luo H, Niu J, Cao L, Hu X, Xu H, Jia W, Sun Y, Yao Y, Chen W, Ke L, Hu B, Ji C, Sun Y, Chen J, Li M, He Y. Efficacy and safety of intermittent versus continuous dose apatinib plus docetaxel as second-line therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: a randomized controlled study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:205. [PMID: 35280426 PMCID: PMC8908117 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Previous studies of the second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GC/GEJAC) had reported that apatinib combined with chemotherapy improved the treatment outcomes. However, the benefits were sometimes limited due to the tolerance of continuous dose regimen. This randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of intermittent or continuous dose apatinib plus docetaxel as a second-line therapy in patients with advanced GC/GEJAC. Methods Advanced GC/GEJAC patients who failed first-line chemotherapy were recruited (enrollment time: from September 15, 2017 to July 21, 2019), and randomly assigned to either the intermittent dose group (IG group) or the continuous dose group (CG group) (1:1 ratio) using the block randomization method. In the IG group, patients received apatinib 500 mg/d for 5 consecutive days then held for 2 days plus docetaxel 60 mg/m2 q3w, in a 3-week cycle. In the CG group, patients received apatinib 500 mg daily plus docetaxel 60 mg/m2 q3w, in a 3-week cycle. The progression free survival (PFS) was evaluated every two cycles and follow-ups were performed monthly. The primary endpoint was PFS, and the secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results In total, 76 eligible patients were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1 ratio). The IG group exhibited similar PFS compared to the CG group [median PFS: 3.88 (95% CI: 1.72–6.03) months vs. 3.98 (95% CI: 1.06–6.90) months, P=0.546] and OS [median OS: 9.00 (95% CI: 5.31–12.70) months vs. 9.40 (95% CI: 5.20–13.59) months, P=0.310]. ORR (21.1% vs. 18.4%, P=0.773) and DCR (60.5% vs. 60.5%, P=1.000) were of not statistically different between the IG and CG groups. As for safety, the IG group exhibited less frequent hypoproteinemia (31.6% vs. 55.3%, P=0.037) and lactate dehydrogenase increased (18.4% vs. 44.7%, P=0.014), while no differences in other adverse events were observed between the two groups. Conclusions Intermittent dose apatinib plus docetaxel was equally effective and more tolerable than continuous dose apatinib plus docetaxel as a second-line therapy in patients with advanced GC/GEJAC. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03334591.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yan
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huimin Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Shusheng Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huiqin Luo
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jiayu Niu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lulu Cao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoxiu Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Huijun Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wei Jia
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yubei Sun
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yiwei Yao
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Wenju Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lihong Ke
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Bing Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Chushu Ji
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yancai Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Mengge Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yifu He
- Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Apatinib suppresses lung cancer stem-like cells by complex interplay between β-catenin signaling and mitochondrial ROS accumulation. Cell Death Discov 2021; 7:102. [PMID: 33980809 PMCID: PMC8115647 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-021-00480-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a critical role in the development of lung cancer, which is also important in the generation and maintenance of lung cancer stem cell (CSC). CSCs have unique capabilities to resist anticancer therapy, seed recurrent tumors, and disseminate to and colonize distant tissues. Apatinib, a small-molecule VEGFR2-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows highly efficient antitumor activity in heavily treated, chemoresistant, and metastatic lung cancer. We speculated that inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and targeting lung CSCs could be one of the anti-tumor mechanisms of apatinib. In the present study we demonstrated that apatinib repressed lung CSC-like traits by hindering sphere formation ability, lung CSC-related marker expression and decreasing chemoresistance derived stemness. Mechanistically, apatinib exerted its anti-CSC effects by inhibiting β-catenin and its downstream targets. Moreover, apatinib induced the production of reactive oxyen species (ROS), which participated in the inhibitory effects of apatinib on lung CSCs. It was found that β-catenin regulated apatinib-induced production of ROS. Inhibition or promotion of ROS production with N-acetyl-L-cysteine or H2O2 not only upregulated or downregulated β-catenin expression, but also prevented or promoted DNA damage, rescued or impeded sphere formation, respectively. Collectively, our findings reveal that apatinib directly inhibits β-catenin signaling and promotes ROS generation to suppress lung CSC-like characteristics. A clearer understanding of the anti-cancer mechanisms of apatinib is required for its better application in combating advanced and refractory/recurrent lung cancer when combined with conventional chemotherapy.
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Wang K, Gu C, Hu D. Stevens–Johnson syndrome associated with TS‐1 in a patient with gastric cancer: A case report. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kaichun Wang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Chao Gu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
| | - Daode Hu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Shanghai General Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Shanghai China
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Qiu B, Li G, Luo F, Cai X, Wu L, Chen J, Hu Y, Tang Z, Yang S, He J. Treatment patterns, clinical outcomes, and healthcare resource use associated with advanced/metastatic lung cancer in China: protocol for a retrospective observational study. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2020; 9:2460-2468. [PMID: 33489806 PMCID: PMC7815359 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cancer worldwide. The prevalence of LC and rate of associated mortality are high and increasing faster in China than in Western countries. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for most LCs. This study aims to be the first large, multi-center, non-interventional retrospective study of treatment patterns (type/duration, number of lines, completion rate), real-world outcomes, and medical costs among Chinese patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC (IIIb/IV) or extensive-stage small cell LC (ES-SCLC). Methods This study will enroll 8,800 patients (≥18 years, with a diagnosis of advanced/metastatic NSCLC made between 1 December 2013 to 30 November 2014) from 35 to 50 Chinese sites. Hospital information systems (HIS) and electronic medical records will be retrospectively reviewed, in adherence with regulatory and ethical requirements. Early-stage treatment (starting from 1 December 2010) of patients with recurrent disease or early disease progression will be examined. Data will be collected at baseline (diagnosis) and 6 and 12 months after this. Observation will end after 3 years or death. Data will be stratified by histology, staging, age, region, health insurance, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation status. Treatment duration and overall survival will be estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Descriptive statistics will be used for disease characteristics and patient demographics. Cox-proportional hazards models will be used to examine the impact of demographics/treatment on survival. Treatment patterns and outcome predictors will be explored using multivariate logistic regression. Discussion This protocol describes the methodology for collecting real-world data to guide evidence-based clinical practice and inform unmet needs in NSCLC treatment, with potential to identify gaps between guidelines and current practice. Trial registration NCT03505515; data registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: 12h Apr., 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Qiu
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Feng Luo
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaohong Cai
- Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, China
| | | | | | - Zhiliu Tang
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Shanghai, China (was with BMS at the time when the research and the manuscript were conducted)
| | - Shuo Yang
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie He
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Liao X, Tao L, Guo W, Wu ZX, Du H, Wang J, Zhang J, Chen H, Chen ZS, Lin L, Sun L. Combination of Cordycepin and Apatinib Synergistically Inhibits NSCLC Cells by Down-Regulating VEGF/PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1732. [PMID: 33014856 PMCID: PMC7505117 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The application of apatinib is immensely limited by its acquired drug resistance. This research investigates whether cordycepin, a component from Cordyceps could synergize with apatinib to improve its anticancer effect on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Methods The NSCLC cell lines A549, PC9, and H1993, and human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell line Bears-2B were used in this study. Cell counting kit 8, colony formation assays, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry analysis were performed to assess the cell viability, the migration ability, and invasion ability of the cells. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG), western blotting and molecular docking was applied to analyze the possible pathways affected by cordycepin. Results The combination of cordycepin and apatinib in a ratio of 5:1 synergistically reduced proliferation of NSCLC cells, inhibited cell migration and invasion, increased cell apoptosis by altering cell cycle in NSCLC A549 and PC9 cells. The VEGF/PI3K/Akt pathway was inhibited after treatment with cordycepin and apatinib. Conclusion Our findings demonstrated that the combination of cordycepin and apatinib has synergistically anticancer effect on NSCLC cells by down-regulating VEGF/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This result indicated that cordycepin and apatinib could be a promising drug combination against NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhong Liao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lanting Tao
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Guo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo-Xun Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, United States
| | - Haiyan Du
- Department of Biochemistry, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hanrui Chen
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, United States
| | - Lizhu Lin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingling Sun
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Wei B, Wang Y, Wang J, Cai X, Xu L, Wu J, Wang Y, Liu W, Gu Y, Guo W, Xu Q. Apatinib suppresses tumor progression and enhances cisplatin sensitivity in esophageal cancer via the Akt/β-catenin pathway. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:198. [PMID: 32514243 PMCID: PMC7254695 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01290-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Esophageal cancer is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, which is partially due to limited progress of therapy. Apatinib, an inhibitor of VEGFR2, has a promising antitumor effect on malignancies. However, the underlying mechanism of its antitumor effect on esophageal cancer remains poorly understood. Materials and methods Eighteen pairs of frozen esophageal cancer and their para-cancer samples and 25 paraffin specimens from advanced esophageal cancer patients treated with cisplatin-based regimen were collected. The effects of apatinib on cell growth, cell apoptosis, cell cycle and invasion/migration of esophageal cancer cells were assessed. Bioinformatics, luciferase reporter, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays were conducted for mechanic investigation. Quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of functional genes. Xenograft tumor growth of mice was performed. Results We found that VEGFR2 was highly expressed in esophageal cancer and associated with poor efficacy of cisplatin-based treatment. Apatinib displayed profound actions against tumor cell growth of human esophageal cancer via promoting cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Also, apatinib displayed the inhibitory effects on cell migration and invasion. Moreover, apatinib strongly suppressed the growth of esophageal cancer xenografts in mice. The effects of apatinib on esophageal cancer were partially dependent on its block of the VEGFR2/Akt/β-catenin pathway. Specifically, apatinib induced the degradation of β-catenin and decreased its transcriptional activity through Akt/GSK-3β repression. Further in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that low dose apatinib had a synergistic antitumor effect with cisplatin on esophageal cancer. Conclusion Our study indicates that apatinib suppresses tumor progression and enhances cisplatin sensitivity in esophageal cancer by deactivating the Akt/β-catenin pathway. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for using apatinib as an effective therapeutic drug for esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wei
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China.,Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Xiaomin Cai
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Lingyan Xu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Jingjing Wu
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Wen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Yanhong Gu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Wenjie Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing, 210093 China
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