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Noor A, Shafi S, Sehar N, Qadir I, Bilquees, Rashid S, Arafah A, Rasool S, Dar NJ, Masoodi MH, Rehman MU. Curcuminoids as Cell Signaling Pathway Modulators: A Potential Strategy for Cancer Prevention. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:3093-3117. [PMID: 37559247 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230809100335] [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: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite substantial advancements in curative modern medicine in the last few decades, cancer risk and casualty rates have continued to mount globally. The exact reason for cancer's onset and progression is still unknown. However, skeletal and functional abnormalities in the genetic code are assumed to be the primary cause of cancer. Many lines of evidence reported that some medicinal plants can be utilized to curb cancer cell proliferation with a safe, fruitful, and cost-efficient perspective. Curcuminoid, isolated from Curcuma longa, have gotten a lot of focus due to their anticancer potential as they reduce tumor progression, invasion, and dissemination. Further, they modulated signal transduction routes like MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, JAK/STAT, and Wnt/β-catenin, etc., and triggered apoptosis as well as actuated autophagy in malignant cells without altering the normal cells, thus preventing cancer progression. Besides, Curcuminoid also regulate the function and expression of anti-tumor and carcinogenic miRNAs. Clinical studies also reported the therapeutic effect of Curcuminoid against various cancer through decreasing specific biomarkers like TNF-α, Bcl-2, COX-2, PGE2, VEGF, IκKβ, and various cytokines like IL-12p70, IL-10, IL-2, IFN-γ levels and increasing in p53 and Bax levels. Thus, in the present review, we abridged the modulation of several signal transduction routes by Curcuminoids in various malignancies, and its modulatory role in the initiation of tumor-suppressive miRNAs and suppression of the oncogenic miRNAs are explored. Additionally, various pharmacokinetic approaches have been projected to address the Curcuminoids bioavailability like the use of piperine as an adjuvant; nanotechnology- based Curcuminoids preparations utilizing Curcuminoids analogues are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneeza Noor
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences & Technology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Saimeena Shafi
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences & Technology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Nouroz Sehar
- Centre for Translational and Clinical Research, School of Chemical & Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Insha Qadir
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences & Technology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Bilquees
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences & Technology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Summya Rashid
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz University, Al Kharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Azher Arafah
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saiema Rasool
- Department of School Education, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K 190001, India
| | - Nawab John Dar
- Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory (CNB-P), Salk Institute, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA92037, USA
| | - Mubashir Hussain Masoodi
- Natural Products Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences & Technology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Muneeb U Rehman
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Circulating Tumour Cells (CTCs) in NSCLC: From Prognosis to Therapy Design. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13111879. [PMID: 34834295 PMCID: PMC8619417 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Designing optimal (neo)adjuvant therapy is a crucial aspect of the treatment of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Standard methods of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy represent effective strategies for treatment. However, in some cases with high metastatic activity and high levels of circulating tumour cells (CTCs), the efficacy of standard treatment methods is insufficient and results in treatment failure and reduced patient survival. CTCs are seen not only as an isolated phenomenon but also a key inherent part of the formation of metastasis and a key factor in cancer death. This review discusses the impact of NSCLC therapy strategies based on a meta-analysis of clinical studies. In addition, possible therapeutic strategies for repression when standard methods fail, such as the administration of low-toxicity natural anticancer agents targeting these phenomena (curcumin and flavonoids), are also discussed. These strategies are presented in the context of key mechanisms of tumour biology with a strong influence on CTC spread and metastasis (mechanisms related to tumour-associated and -infiltrating cells, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and migration of cancer cells).
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Zoi V, Galani V, Lianos GD, Voulgaris S, Kyritsis AP, Alexiou GA. The Role of Curcumin in Cancer Treatment. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091086. [PMID: 34572272 PMCID: PMC8464730 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant, Curcuma longa which has anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Chronic inflammation is associated with the development of cancer. Curcumin acts on the regulation of various immune modulators, including cytokines, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which partly explains its anticancer effects. It also takes part in the downregulation of growth factors, protein kinases, oncogenic molecules and various signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Clinical trials of curcumin have been completed or are ongoing for various types of cancer. This review presents the molecular mechanisms of curcumin in different types of cancer and the evidence from the most recent clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Zoi
- Neurosurgical Institute, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.Z.); (S.V.); (A.P.K.)
- Department of Anatomy Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Vasiliki Galani
- Department of Anatomy Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Georgios D. Lianos
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece;
| | - Spyridon Voulgaris
- Neurosurgical Institute, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.Z.); (S.V.); (A.P.K.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine Ioannina, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athanasios P. Kyritsis
- Neurosurgical Institute, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.Z.); (S.V.); (A.P.K.)
| | - George A. Alexiou
- Neurosurgical Institute, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece; (V.Z.); (S.V.); (A.P.K.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine Ioannina, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
- Correspondence:
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Brózman O, Novák J, Bauer AK, Babica P. Airborne PAHs inhibit gap junctional intercellular communication and activate MAPKs in human bronchial epithelial cell line. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 79:103422. [PMID: 32492535 PMCID: PMC7486243 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been associated with various adverse health effects, including chronic lung diseases and cancer. Using human bronchial epithelial cell line HBE1, we investigated the effects of structurally different PAHs on tissue homeostatic processes, namely gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and MAPKs activity. Rapid (<1 h) and sustained (up to 24 h) inhibition of GJIC was induced by low/middle molecular weight (MW) PAHs, particularly by those with a bay- or bay-like region (1- and 9-methylanthracene, fluoranthene), but also by fluorene and pyrene. In contrast, linear low MW (anthracene, 2-methylanthracene) or higher MW (chrysene) PAHs did not affect GJIC. Fluoranthene, 1- and 9-methylanthracene induced strong and sustained activation of MAPK ERK1/2, whereas MAPK p38 was activated rather nonspecifically by all tested PAHs. Low/middle MW PAHs can disrupt tissue homeostasis in human airway epithelium via structure-dependent nongenotoxic mechanisms, which can contribute to their human health hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Brózman
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 62500, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Novák
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 62500, Czech Republic.
| | - Alison K Bauer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA.
| | - Pavel Babica
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno 62500, Czech Republic.
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Jiang X, Huang Y. Curcumin Derivative C086 Combined with Cisplatin Inhibits Proliferation of Osteosarcoma Cells. Med Sci Monit 2020; 26:e924507. [PMID: 32734935 PMCID: PMC7414526 DOI: 10.12659/msm.924507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Curcumin derivative C086 (cur C086) is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for patients with osteosarcoma. In this study, the effects of cur C086 combined with cisplatin on the biological processes of osteosarcoma cells were investigated. Material/Methods In this study, expression of BMIL1 was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting in MG-63 cells treated with cur C086+cisplatin. Functions of cur C086+cisplatin on proliferation ability, apoptosis response, and metastatic potential of MG-63 cells were determined by MTT, flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining and Transwell assays, respectively. In additionally, expression of P16, E-cadherin, epidermal growth factor (EGFR), and Notch1 was measured by Western blotting. Results Expression of BMIL1 decreased significantly in MG-63 cells treated with cur C086 (20 μM)+cisplatin (1.28 nM). Treatment with cur C086+cisplatin considerably inhibited growth, migration, and invasion potential in MG-63 cells, whereas apoptosis was obviously upregulated. Moreover, cur C086+cisplatin suppressed BMIL1 expression or its potential downstream targets, P16, E-cadherin, EGFR, and Notch1. Conclusions The current results demonstrate that combined treatment with cur C086+cisplatin may be an effective form of chemotherapy for patients with osteosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology of Ministry of Education (Chongqing University), Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Yulin Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Wuxi, Chongqing, China (mainland)
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Zhang X, Zhang C, Ren Z, Zhang F, Xu J, Zhang X, Zheng H. Curcumin Affects Gastric Cancer Cell Migration, Invasion and Cytoskeletal Remodeling Through Gli1-β-Catenin. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:3795-3806. [PMID: 32547215 PMCID: PMC7247599 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s244384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The function of curcumin on the gastric cancer cell line, SGC-7901 is unknown. The present study aimed to observe the effects of curcumin on gastric cancer cells through the Shh and Wnt signaling pathways. Methods SGC-7901 cells were transfected with si-Gli1 and si-β-catenin siRNA, then cells were stimulated with curcumin and its effects on cell migration, invasion, cytoskeleton remodeling, EMT, apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated by transwell assays, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry assays. The interaction between Gli1 and β-catenin was observed by co-immunoprecipitation. Results We show that curcumin suppressed the expression of Shh, Gli1 and Foxm1 in the Shh signaling pathway, and the expression of β-catenin in the Wnt signaling pathway in SGC-7901 cells, both in mRNA and protein. As a result, cellular migration, invasion and cytoskeletal remodeling ability decreased. Our results revealed that when stimulated with curcumin, cells showed decreased cellular migration and invasion, while enhanced apoptosis. In addition, curcumin induced cytoskeletal remodeling and S phase cell cycle arrest. The inhibition of Shh and Wnt signaling pathway and the addition of curcumin also inhibited the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process. Furthermore, a physical interaction was observed between Gli1 of the Shh signaling and β-catenin of the Wnt signaling in these cells, but curcumin inhibited the interaction of these two proteins. Conclusion The present study indicated that curcumin plays an anti-tumor role through Gli1-β-catenin pathway in gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenli Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiheng Ren
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinyu Xu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haixue Zheng
- National Foot and Mouth Diseases Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, People's Republic of China
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Zong D, Liu X, Li J, Ouyang R, Chen P. The role of cigarette smoke-induced epigenetic alterations in inflammation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2019; 12:65. [PMID: 31711545 PMCID: PMC6844059 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-019-0311-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) is a major threat to human health worldwide. It is well established that smoking increases the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and different forms of cancer, including lung, liver, and colon. CS-triggered inflammation is considered to play a central role in various pathologies by a mechanism that stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. During this process, epigenetic alterations are known to play important roles in the specificity and duration of gene transcription. Main text Epigenetic alterations include three major modifications: DNA modifications via methylation; various posttranslational modifications of histones, namely, methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination; and non-coding RNA sequences. These modifications work in concert to regulate gene transcription in a heritable fashion. The enzymes that regulate these epigenetic modifications can be activated by smoking, which further mediates the expression of multiple inflammatory genes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the epigenetic alterations triggered by CS and assess how such alterations may affect smoking-mediated inflammatory responses. Conclusion The recognition of the molecular mechanisms of the epigenetic changes in abnormal inflammation is expected to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of CS-related diseases such that novel epigenetic therapies may be identified in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.,Research Unit of Respiratory Disease, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Xiangming Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.,Research Unit of Respiratory Disease, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jinhua Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.,Research Unit of Respiratory Disease, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Ruoyun Ouyang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.,Research Unit of Respiratory Disease, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China. .,Research Unit of Respiratory Disease, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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Olea-Flores M, Zuñiga-Eulogio MD, Mendoza-Catalán MA, Rodríguez-Ruiz HA, Castañeda-Saucedo E, Ortuño-Pineda C, Padilla-Benavides T, Navarro-Tito N. Extracellular-Signal Regulated Kinase: A Central Molecule Driving Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2885. [PMID: 31200510 PMCID: PMC6627365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible cellular process, characterized by changes in gene expression and activation of proteins, favoring the trans-differentiation of the epithelial phenotype to a mesenchymal phenotype. This process increases cell migration and invasion of tumor cells, progression of the cell cycle, and resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy, all of which support tumor progression. One of the signaling pathways involved in tumor progression is the MAPK pathway. Within this family, the ERK subfamily of proteins is known for its contributions to EMT. The ERK subfamily is divided into typical (ERK 1/2/5), and atypical (ERK 3/4/7/8) members. These kinases are overexpressed and hyperactive in various types of cancer. They regulate diverse cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy, and EMT. In this context, in vitro and in vivo assays, as well as studies in human patients, have shown that ERK favors the expression, function, and subcellular relocalization of various proteins that regulate EMT, thus promoting tumor progression. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic roles of the ERK subfamily members in EMT and tumor progression in diverse biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Olea-Flores
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular del Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
| | - Miriam Daniela Zuñiga-Eulogio
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular del Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
| | - Miguel Angel Mendoza-Catalán
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
| | - Hugo Alberto Rodríguez-Ruiz
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
| | - Eduardo Castañeda-Saucedo
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular del Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
| | - Carlos Ortuño-Pineda
- Laboratorio de Biomedicina Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
| | - Teresita Padilla-Benavides
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Napoleón Navarro-Tito
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular del Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas s/n Chilpancingo, Gro. 39090, Mexico.
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Bahrami A, Majeed M, Sahebkar A. Curcumin: a potent agent to reverse epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2019; 42:405-421. [PMID: 30980365 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-019-00442-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in tumor progression, invasion, migration and metastasis. EMT is a process by which polarized epithelial cells acquire motile mesothelial phenotypic features. This process is initiated by disassembly of cell-cell contacts through the loss of epithelial markers and replacement of these markers by mesenchymal markers. Reconstruction of the cytoskeleton and degradation of the tumor basement membrane ensures the spread of invasive malignant tumor cells to distant locations. Accumulating evidence indicates that curcumin, as a well-known phytochemical, can inhibit EMT/metastasis through various mechanisms and pathways in human tumors. CONCLUSIONS In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which curcumin may affect EMT in cells under pathological conditions to understand its potential as a novel anti-tumor agent. Curcumin can exert chemo-preventive effects by inhibition and reversal of the EMT process through both TGF-β-dependent (e.g. in hepatoma and retinal pigment epithelial cancer) and -independent (e.g. in oral cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, thyroid cancer and lung cancer) pathways. Curcumin can also mitigate chemoresistance through EMT suppression and promotion of the antiproliferative effects of conventional chemotherapeutics. Therefore, curcumin has the potential to be used as a novel adjunctive agent to prevent tumor metastasis, which may at least partly be attributed to its hampering of the EMT process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afsane Bahrami
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Amirhossein Sahebkar
- Department of Medical Biotechnology Research Center, School of Medicine, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 91779-48564, Mashhad, Iran.
- Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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