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Cartwright BM, Corso JN, Lightner J, Whitted C, Torrenegra RD, Krishnan K, Palau VE. Achyrocline B (3,5 dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone) synergizes with 5-fluorouracil allowing for dose reduction and reduced off-target toxicity in the treatment of colonic and pancreatic cancers. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 167:115546. [PMID: 37741250 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115546] [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: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Surgically unresectable colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas have a high rate of mortality as current therapeutic options are limited. One common chemotherapeutic used to broadly treat both cancers is 5-flurouracil (5-Fu); however, treatment serves only to slow progression of the disease and comes with many side effects due to 5-Fu's intrinsic toxicity. Thus, strategies to decrease the dose of 5-Fu utilized therapeutically as well as reduce 5-Fu's off-target toxicity are paramount. Using cell models of colorectal and pancreatic cancers, we show that cotreatment with Achyrocline B (3,5 dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, AcB), a natural flavone from Achyrocline bogotensis, allows for four-fold reduction in 5-Fu dosage without loss of efficacy. We further show that the action of AcB is due to continued cell cycle progression despite 5-Fu pressure to synchronize at the G1/S threshold. In addition to AcB's effect on cancer cells, we found that AcB can directly reduce toxicity of 5-Fu in cells mimicking non-cancerous tissues. These in vitro results are then supported by xenograft modeling. AcB was shown to increase apoptosis in tumors leading to degeneration of the outer tumoral boundary. Furthermore, in 5-Fu treated animals it was found that AcB provided protection to the intestinal tract as indicated by preserved histological and immunohistochemical features. These results show promise for a new adjuvant therapy for colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas that not only reduces tumor progression, but more importantly has the potential to improve patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Cartwright
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States; Department of Pathology, ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States
| | - Jaclyn N Corso
- Department of Internal Medicine, ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States
| | - Janet Lightner
- Department of Internal Medicine, ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States
| | - Crystal Whitted
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States
| | - Ruben D Torrenegra
- Productos Naturales, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Koyamangalath Krishnan
- Department of Internal Medicine, ETSU Quillen College of Medicine, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States
| | - Victoria E Palau
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, 37614, United States; Productos Naturales, Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales, Bogota, Colombia.
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2
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Cioce M, Fumagalli MR, Donzelli S, Goeman F, Canu V, Rutigliano D, Orlandi G, Sacconi A, Pulito C, Palcau AC, Fanciulli M, Morrone A, Diodoro MG, Caricato M, Crescenzi A, Verri M, Fazio VM, Zapperi S, Levrero M, Strano S, Grazi GL, La Porta C, Blandino G. Interrogating colorectal cancer metastasis to liver: a search for clinically viable compounds and mechanistic insights in colorectal cancer Patient Derived Organoids. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:170. [PMID: 37460938 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02754-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 20-50% of patients presenting with localized colorectal cancer progress to stage IV metastatic disease (mCRC) following initial treatment and this is a major prognostic determinant. Here, we have interrogated a heterogeneous set of primary colorectal cancer (CRC), liver CRC metastases and adjacent liver tissue to identify molecular determinants of the colon to liver spreading. Screening Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for their ability to interfere with an identified colon to liver metastasis signature may help filling an unmet therapeutic need. METHODS RNA sequencing of primary colorectal cancer specimens vs adjacent liver tissue vs synchronous and asynchronous liver metastases. Pathways enrichment analyses. The Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures (LINCS)-based and Connectivity Map (CMAP)-mediated identification of FDA-approved compounds capable to interfere with a 22 gene signature from primary CRC and liver metastases. Testing the identified compounds on CRC-Patient Derived Organoid (PDO) cultures. Microscopy and Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) based analysis of the treated PDOs. RESULTS We have found that liver metastases acquire features of the adjacent liver tissue while partially losing those of the primary tumors they derived from. We have identified a 22-gene signature differentially expressed among primary tumors and metastases and validated in public databases. A pharmacogenomic screening for FDA-approved compounds capable of interfering with this signature has been performed. We have validated some of the identified representative compounds in CRC-Patient Derived Organoid cultures (PDOs) and found that pentoxyfilline and, to a minor extent, dexketoprofen and desloratadine, can variably interfere with number, size and viability of the CRC -PDOs in a patient-specific way. We explored the pentoxifylline mechanism of action and found that pentoxifylline treatment attenuated the 5-FU elicited increase of ALDHhigh cells by attenuating the IL-6 mediated STAT3 (tyr705) phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS Pentoxifylline synergizes with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) in attenuating organoid formation. It does so by interfering with an IL-6-STAT3 axis leading to the emergence of chemoresistant ALDHhigh cell subpopulations in 5-FU treated PDOs. A larger cohort of CRC-PDOs will be required to validate and expand on the findings of this proof-of-concept study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cioce
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Rita Fumagalli
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
- CNR - Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Biophysics Institute, Via De Marini 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sara Donzelli
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Frauke Goeman
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Canu
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Rutigliano
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Orlandi
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sacconi
- Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Pulito
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Alina Catalina Palcau
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Morrone
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Diodoro
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Caricato
- Colorectal Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Crescenzi
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Unit of Endocrine Organs and Neuromuscular Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Verri
- Unit of Endocrine Organs and Neuromuscular Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Michele Fazio
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Zapperi
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Physics, University of Milan, Via Celoria 16, 20133, Milano, Italy
- Istituto Di Chimica Della Materia Condensata E Di Tecnologie Per L'Energia, CNR - Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Via R. Cozzi 53, 20125, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Levrero
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), UMR Inserm, CNRS 5286 Mixte CLB, Université de Lyon, 1 (UCBL1), 69003, Lyon, France
| | - Sabrina Strano
- Department of Research, Diagnosis and Innovative Technologies, UOSD SAFU, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Grazi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Hepato-Biliary Pancreatic Surgery, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina La Porta
- Center for Complexity and Biosystems, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
- CNR - Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto Di Biofisica, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Translational Oncology Research Unit, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostic and Technological Innovation, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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Ponzetti M, Rucci N, Falone S. RNA methylation and cellular response to oxidative stress-promoting anticancer agents. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:870-905. [PMID: 36648057 PMCID: PMC10054233 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2165632] [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: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruption of the complex network that regulates redox homeostasis often underlies resistant phenotypes, which hinder effective and long-lasting cancer eradication. In addition, the RNA methylome-dependent control of gene expression also critically affects traits of cellular resistance to anti-cancer agents. However, few investigations aimed at establishing whether the epitranscriptome-directed adaptations underlying acquired and/or innate resistance traits in cancer could be implemented through the involvement of redox-dependent or -responsive signaling pathways. This is unexpected mainly because: i) the effectiveness of many anti-cancer approaches relies on their capacity to promote oxidative stress (OS); ii) altered redox milieu and reprogramming of mitochondrial function have been acknowledged as critical mediators of the RNA methylome-mediated response to OS. Here we summarize the current state of understanding on this topic, as well as we offer new perspectives that might lead to original approaches and strategies to delay or prevent the problem of refractory cancer and tumor recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Ponzetti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Nadia Rucci
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Stefano Falone
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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4
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Park H, Imoto S, Miyano S. Gene Regulatory Network-Classifier: Gene Regulatory Network-Based Classifier and Its Applications to Gastric Cancer Drug (5-Fluorouracil) Marker Identification. J Comput Biol 2023; 30:223-243. [PMID: 36450117 DOI: 10.1089/cmb.2022.0181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex mechanisms of diseases involve the disturbance of the molecular network, rather than disorder in a single gene, implying that single gene-based analysis is insufficient to understand these mechanisms. Gene regulatory networks (GRNs) have attracted a lot of interest and various approaches have been developed for their statistical inference and gene network-based analysis. Although various computational methods have been developed, relatively little attention has been paid to incorporation of biological knowledge into the computational approaches. Furthermore, existing studies on network-based analysis perform prediction/classification of status of cell lines based on preconstructed GRNs, implying that we cannot extract prediction/classification-specific gene networks, leading to difficulty in interpretation of biological mechanisms and marker identification related to the status of cancer cell lines. We developed a novel strategy to build a GRN-based classifier, called a GRN-classifier. The proposed GRN-classifier estimates GRNs and classifies cell lines simultaneously, where the gene network is estimated to minimize error in gene network estimation and the negative log-likelihood for classifying cell lines. Thus, we can identify biological status-specific gene regulatory systems, enabling us to achieve biologically reliable interpretation of the classification. We also propose an algorithm to implement the GRN-classifier based on coordinate descent update. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to examine performance of the GRN-classifier. Results: Our strategy provides effective results in feature selection in the classification model and edge selection in gene network estimation. The GRN-classifier also shows outstanding classification accuracy. We apply the GRN-classifier to classify cancer cell lines into anticancer drug-related status, that is, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-sensitive/resistant and 5-FU target/nontarget cancer cell lines. We then identified 5-FU markers based on 5-FU-related status classification-specific gene networks. The mechanisms of the identified markers were verified through literature survey. Our results suggest that the molecular interplay between MYOF and AHNAK2 may play a crucial role in drug resistance and can provide information on the chemotherapy efficiency of 5-FU. It is also suggested that suppression of the identified 5-FU markers, including MYOF/AHNAK2 and AKR1C1/AKR1C3 may improve 5-FU resistance of cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heewon Park
- M&D Data Science Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiya Imoto
- Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Miyano
- M&D Data Science Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Dong S, Zhang S, Zhao P, Lin G, Ma X, Xu J, Zhang H, Hu J, Zou C. A combined analysis of bulk and single-cell sequencing data reveals that depleted extracellular matrix and enhanced immune processes co-contribute to fluorouracil beneficial responses in gastric cancer. Front Immunol 2022; 13:999551. [PMID: 36189263 PMCID: PMC9520597 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.999551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, is one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (GC). Whereas, the presence of innate or acquired resistance largely limits its survival benefit in GC patients. Although accumulated studies have demonstrated the involvement of tumor microenvironments (TMEs) in chemo-resistance induction, so far little is known about the relevance of GC TMEs in 5-FU resistance. To this end, in this study, we investigated the relationship between TME features and 5-FU responses in GC patients using a combined analysis involving both bulk sequencing data from the TCGA database and single-cell RNA sequencing data from the GEO database. We found that depleted extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as capillary/stroma cells and enhanced immune processes such as increased number of M1 polarized macrophages/Memory T cells/Natural Killer T cells/B cells and decreased number of regulatory T cells are two important features relating to 5-FU beneficial responses in GC patients, especially in diffuse-type patients. We further validated these two features in the tumor tissues of 5-FU-benefit GC patients using immunofluorescence staining experiments. Based on this finding, we also established a Pro (63 genes) and Con (199 genes) gene cohort that could predict 5-FU responses in GC with an AUC (area under curve) score of 0.90 in diffuse-type GC patients, and further proved the partial applicability of this gene panel pan-cancer-wide. Moreover, we identified possible communications mediated by heparanase and galectin-1 which could regulate ECM remodeling and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) reshaping. Altogether, these findings deciphered the relationship between GC TMEs and 5-FU resistance for the first time, as well as provided potential therapeutic targets and predicting rationale to overcome this chemo-resistance, which could shed some light on developing novel precision treatment strategies in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Dong
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
| | - Siyu Zhang
- School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pan Zhao
- School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guanchuan Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoshi Ma
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Xu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Precision Cancer Medicine and Pathology, Jinan University Medical College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiliang Hu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Engineering Technological Research Center for Nervous Anatomy and Related Clinical Applications, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chang Zou
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Jinan University (Shenzhen People’s Hospital), Shenzhen, China
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
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6
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Value Research of NLR, PLR, and RDW in Prognostic Assessment of Patients with Colorectal Cancer. JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE ENGINEERING 2022; 2022:7971415. [PMID: 35469225 PMCID: PMC9034903 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7971415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the relevance of the study with the neutrophil count and lymphocyte count ratio (NLR), platelet count and lymphocyte count ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in the prognostic evaluation of colorectal cancer patients. Methods 143 patients with colorectal cancer from January 2016 to January 2019 were selected by our hospital, and then, other 143 cases of physical examiners as normal groups were selecting to proceed colonoscopic biopsy to diagnose 106 cases of precancerous diseases related to colorectal cancer. Among them were the inflammatory bowel group (n = 56) and the colorectal polyp group (n = 50). Analysis of the survival impact factors of patients with carcinoma of the rectum, preoperative NLR, ROW, PLR, and prognostic relationship, and comparison of NLR, PLR, and RDW diagnostic rate and expression were performed. Results Tissue type, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, NLR, RDW, and PLR had a predictive influence on patients with colorectal cancer (P0.05). There was no link between gender, age, aetiology, pathological type, and prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer (P > 0.05). Multiple variables in patients with colorectal cancer are affected by tissue categorization (poor differentiation), TNM stages (III, IV), lymph node metastases, NLR, ROW, and PLR (P0.05). When compared to solo NLR, Row, and PLR diagnostics, the combination diagnosis and malignancy rates were greater, and the differences were statistically significant (P0.05). Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were greater when compared to single NLR, ROW, and PLR. When compared to the normal control group, NLR, ROW, and PLR have greater levels, and the differences are statistically significant (P0.05). The patient survival declines more slowly as PLR, NLR, and the severity of the condition rises. Conclusion NLR, ROW, and PLR combined diagnosis has high accuracy in colorectal cancer diagnosis, and the prognosis of patients with NLR, ROW, and PLR levels has a tight association; so, clinically, the above signs should be identified, and the optimal treatment time is grasped.
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7
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Jin J, Chen B, Zhan X, Zhou Z, Liu H, Dong Y. Network pharmacology and molecular docking study on the mechanism of colorectal cancer treatment using Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252508. [PMID: 34125845 PMCID: PMC8202922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE We aimed to predict the targets and signal pathways of Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (XCHT) in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) based on network pharmacology, just as well as to further analyze its anti-CRC material basis and mechanism of action. METHODS We adopted Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) databases to screen the active ingredients and potential targets of XCHT. CRC-related targets were retrieved by analyzing published microarray data (accession number GSE110224) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The common targets were used to construct the "herb-active ingredient-target" network using the Cytoscape 3.8.0 software. Next, we constructed and analyzed protein-to-protein interaction (PPI) using BisoGenet and CytoNCA plug-in in Cytoscape. We then performed Gene Ontology (GO) functional and the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of target genes using the R package of clusterProfiler. Furthermore, we used the AutoDock Tools software to conduct molecular docking studies on the active ingredients and key targets to verify the network pharmacological analysis results. RESULTS We identified a total of 71 active XCHT ingredients and 20 potential anti-CRC targets. The network analysis revealed quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, baicalein, and acacetin as potential key compounds, and PTGS2, NR3C2, CA2, and MMP1 as potential key targets. The active ingredients of XCHT interacted with most CRC disease targets. We showed that XCHT's therapeutic effect was attributed to its synergistic action (multi-compound, multi-target, and multi-pathway). Our GO enrichment analysis showed 46 GO entries, including 20 biological processes, 6 cellular components, and 20 molecular functions. We identified 11 KEGG signaling pathways, including the IL-17, TNF, Toll-like receptor, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. Our results showed that XCHT could play a role in CRC treatment by regulating different signaling pathways. The molecular docking experiment confirmed the correlation between five core compounds (quercetin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, baicalein, and acacetin) just as well as PTGS2, NR3C2, CA2, and MMP1. CONCLUSION In this study, we described the potential active ingredients, possible targets, and key biological pathways responsible for the efficacy of XCHT in CRC treatment, providing a theoretical basis for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Jin
- Department of Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Oncology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyang Zhan
- Department of Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyi Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Dong
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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