Curcumin Inhibits the Migration and Invasion of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells Through Radiation-Induced Suppression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Soluble E-Cadherin Expression

Transcriptome analysis of an AKT inhibitor-resistant endometrial cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Drug resistance in endometrial cancer (EC) is a serious problem and a barrier to improving prognosis. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is highly activated in EC and can serve as a potential therapeutic target. Inhibitors against AKT have been developed, but resistance to these inhibitors is a concern. This study aimed to establish AKT inhibitor resistant cell lines and identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between parental and AKT inhibitor resistant cell lines to understand the mechanism of drug resistance to AKT inhibitors in EC.

METHODS

The sensitivity of eight EC cell lines to AKT inhibitor was analyzed. One of them was used to establish a drug-resistant cell line. DEGs were examined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Furthermore, DEGs were comprehensively analyzed to identify hub genes. Hub genes were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

RNA-seq identified 617 DEGs. Hub genes were selected using bioinformatics analysis. The top 10 hub genes were TNF, CDH1, CCND1, COL1A1, CDH2, ICAM1, CAV1, THBS1, NCAM1, and CDKN2A. Relative mRNA expression was significantly upregulated for TNF, CDH1, CCND1, THBS1, p16INK4a, and p14ARF and significantly downregulated for CDH2, ICAM1, and NCAM1 in borussertib-resistant EC cell line.

CONCLUSIONS

Drug resistance to AKT inhibitors may depend on genes related to cell adhesion-mediated resistance and transforming growth factor β signaling.

Human corneal epithelial cell and fibroblast migration and growth factor secretion after rose bengal photodynamic therapy (RB-PDT) and the effect of conditioned medium

PURPOSE

To investigate human corneal epithelial cell and fibroblast migration and growth factor secretion after rose bengal photodynamic therapy (RB-PDT) and the effect of conditioned medium (CM).

METHODS

A human corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-T), human corneal fibroblasts (HCF) and keratoconus fibroblasts (KC-HCF) have been used. Twenty-four hours after RB-PDT (0.001% RB concentration, 565 nm wavelength illumination, 0.17 J/cm2 fluence) cell migration rate using scratch assay and growth factor concentrations in the cell culture supernatant using ELISA have been determined. In addition, the effect of CM has been observed.

RESULTS

RB-PDT significantly reduced migration rate in all cell types, compared to controls (p≤0.02). Migration rate of HCE-T cultures without RB-PDT (untreated) was significantly higher using HCF CM after RB-PDT, than using HCF CM without RB-PDT (p<0.01). Similarly, untreated HCF displayed a significantly increased migration rate with HCE-T CM after RB-PDT, compared to HCE-T CM without treatment (p<0.01). Furthermore, illumination alone and RB-PDT significantly decreased keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) concentration in HCF and KC-HCF supernatant, and RB-PDT significantly decreased soluble N-Cadherin (SN-Cad) concentration in HCF supernatant, compared to controls (p<0.01 for all). In HCE-T CM, RB-PDT increased hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGFb) concentration (p≤0.02), while decreasing transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) concentration (p<0.01). FGFb concentration increased (p<0.0001) and TGF-β concentration decreased (p<0.0001) in HCF CM, by RB-PDT. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), HGF, and TGF-β concentration decreased (p≤0.03) and FGFb concentration increased (p<0.01) in KC-HCF CM, using RB-PDT.

CONCLUSIONS

HCE-T, HCF and KC-HCF migration rate is reduced 24 hours after RB-PDT. In contrast, HCE-T migration is enhanced using HCF CM after RB-PDT, and HCF migration rate is increased through HCE-T CM following RB-PDT. Modulation of EGF, KGF, HGF, FGFb, TGF-β and N-Cadherin secretion through RB-PDT may play an important role in corneal wound healing.

Regulation of Soluble E-Cadherin Signaling in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Nicotine, BDNF, and β-Adrenergic Receptor Ligands

The ectodomain of the transmembrane protein E-cadherin can be cleaved and released in a soluble form referred to as soluble E-cadherin, or sE-cad, accounting for decreased E-cadherin levels at the cell surface. Among the proteases implicated in this cleavage are matrix metalloproteases (MMP), including MMP9. Opposite functions have been reported for full-length E-cadherin and sE-cad. In this study, we found increased MMP9 levels in the media of two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, A549 and H1299, treated with BDNF, nicotine, or epinephrine that were decreased upon cell treatment with the β-adrenergic receptor blocker propranolol. Increased MMP9 levels correlated with increased sE-cad levels in A549 cell media, and knockdown of MMP9 in A549 cells led to downregulation of sE-cad levels in the media. Previously, we reported that A549 and H1299 cell viability increased with nicotine and/or BDNF treatment and decreased upon treatment with propranolol. In investigating the function of sE-cad, we found that immunodepletion of sE-cad from the media of A549 cells untreated or treated with BDNF, nicotine, or epinephrine reduced activation of EGFR and IGF-1R, decreased PI3K and ERK1/2 activities, increased p53 activation, decreased cell viability, and increased apoptosis, while no effects were found using H1299 cells under all conditions tested.

MACC1-Dependent Antitumor Effect of Curcumin in Colorectal Cancer

Metastasis is the main reason for the high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Despite the whole improvement in the field of cancer medicine, the treatment options for the patient in the late stages are very restricted. Our previous studies have elucidated metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) as a direct link to metastasis formation. Therefore, we have aimed to inhibit its expression by using natural products, which are recently the center of most studies due to their low side effects and good tolerability. In this study, we have investigated the effect of one of the promising natural products, curcumin, on MACC1 expression and MACC1-induced tumor-promoting pathways. Curcumin reduced the MACC1 expression, restricted the MACC1-induced proliferation, and was able to reduce the MACC1-induced cell motility as one of the crucial steps for the distant dissemination of the tumor. We further showed the MACC1-dependent effect of curcumin on clonogenicity and wound healing. This study is, to our knowledge, the first identification of the effect of curcumin on the restriction of cancer motility, proliferation, and colony-forming ability by using MACC1 as a target.

Curcumin and Its Analogs in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment: Challenges and Expectations

Researchers have made crucial advances in understanding the pathogenesis and therapeutics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), improving our understanding of lung tumor biology and progression. Although the survival of NSCLC patients has improved due to chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, overall NSCLC recovery and survival rates remain low. Thus, there is an urgent need for the continued development of novel NSCLC drugs or combination therapies with less toxicity. Although the anticancer effectiveness of curcumin (Cur) and some Cur analogs has been reported in many studies, the results of clinical trials have been inconsistent. Therefore, in this review, we collected the latest related reports about the anti-NSCLC mechanisms of Cur, its analogs, and Cur in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents via the Pubmed database (accessed on 18 June 2022). Furthermore, we speculated on the interplay of Cur and various molecular targets relevant to NSCLC with discovery studio and collected clinical trials of Cur against NSCLC to clarify the role of Cur and its analogs in NSCLC treatment. Despite their challenges, Cur/Cur analogs may serve as promising therapeutic agents or adjuvants for lung carcinoma treatment.

Curcumin Modulates Oxidative Stress, Fibrosis, and Apoptosis in Drug-Resistant Cancer Cell Lines

In cancer management, drug resistance remains a challenge that reduces the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Several studies have shown that curcumin resensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs to overcome resistance. In the present study, we investigate the potential therapeutic role of curcumin in regulating the proliferation of drug-resistant cancers. Six drug-sensitive (MCF7, HCT116, and A549) and -resistant (MCF7/TH, HCT116R, and A549/ADR) cancer cell lines were treated with curcumin followed by an analysis of cytotoxicity, LDH enzyme, total reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), fibrosis markers (TGF-β1 protein, fibronectin, and hydroxyproline), and expression of cellular apoptotic markers (Bcl-2, Bax, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Annexin V, cytochrome c, and caspase-8). Additionally, the expression of cellular SIRT1 was estimated by ELISA and RT-PCR analysis. Curcumin treatment at doses of 2.7–54.3 µM significantly reduced the growth of sensitive and resistant cells as supported with decreased viability and increased cellular LDH enzyme of treated cells compared to controls non-treated cells. Curcumin also at doses of 2.7 and 54.3 µM regulated the fibrogenesis by reducing the expression of fibrotic markers in treated cells. Analysis of apoptotic markers indicated increased Bax, Bax, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, Annexin V, caspase-8, and cytochrome c expression, while Bcl-2 expressions were significantly reduced. In curcumin-treated cells at 2.7 μM, non-significant change in ROS with significant increase in SOD and CAT activity was observed, whereas an increase in ROS with a reduction in respective antioxidant enzymes were seen at higher concentrations along with significant upregulation of SIRT1. In conclusion, the present study shows that curcumin induces anticancer activity against resistant cancer cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The protective activities of curcumin against the growth of cancer cells are mediated by modulating oxidative stress, regulating fibrosis, SIRT1 activation, and inducing cellular apoptosis. Therefore, curcumin could be tested as an auxiliary therapeutic agent to improve the prognosis in patients with resistant cancers.

The Synergistic Effects of Curcumin and Chemotherapeutic Drugs in Inhibiting Metastatic, Invasive and Proliferative Pathways

Curcumin, the main phytochemical identified from the Curcuma longa L. family, is one of the spices used in alternative medicine worldwide. It has exhibited a broad range of pharmacological activities as well as promising effects in the treatment of multiple cancer types. Moreover, it has enhanced the activity of other chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy by promoting synergistic effects in the regulation of various cancerous pathways. Despite all the literature addressing the molecular mechanism of curcumin on various cancers, no review has specifically addressed the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of curcumin in combination with therapeutic drugs on cancer metastasis. The current review assesses the synergistic effects of curcumin with multiple drugs and light radiation, from a molecular perspective, in the inhibition of metastasis, invasion and proliferation. A systemic review of articles published during the past five years was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed and Scopus. The assessment of these articles evidenced that the combination therapy with various drugs, including doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, berberine, docetaxel, metformin, gemcitabine and light radiation therapy on various types of cancer, is capable of ameliorating different metastatic pathways that are presented and evaluated. However, due to the heterogeneity of pathways and proteins in different cell lines, more research is needed to confirm the root causes of these pathways.

Effects and Mechanisms of Curcumin for the Prevention and Management of Cancers: An Updated Review

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the world. Curcumin is the main ingredient in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), and is widely used in the food industry. It shows anticancer properties on different types of cancers, and the underlying mechanisms of action include inhibiting cell proliferation, suppressing invasion and migration, promoting cell apoptosis, inducing autophagy, decreasing cancer stemness, increasing reactive oxygen species production, reducing inflammation, triggering ferroptosis, regulating gut microbiota, and adjuvant therapy. In addition, the anticancer action of curcumin is demonstrated in clinical trials. Moreover, the poor water solubility and low bioavailability of curcumin can be improved by a variety of nanotechnologies, which will promote its clinical effects. Furthermore, although curcumin shows some adverse effects, such as diarrhea and nausea, it is generally safe and tolerable. This paper is an updated review of the prevention and management of cancers by curcumin with a special attention to its mechanisms of action.

A Comprehensive Review on the Benefits and Problems of Curcumin with Respect to Human Health

Curcumin is the most important active component in turmeric extracts. Curcumin, a natural monomer from plants has received a considerable attention as a dietary supplement, exhibiting evident activity in a wide range of human pathological conditions. In general, curcumin is beneficial to human health, demonstrating pharmacological activities of anti-inflammation and antioxidation, as well as antitumor and immune regulation activities. Curcumin also presents therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In this review article, we summarize the advancements made in recent years with respect to curcumin as a biologically active agent in malignant tumors, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), hematological diseases and viral infectious diseases. We also focus on problems associated with curcumin from basic research to clinical translation, such as its low solubility, leading to poor bioavailability, as well as the controversy surrounding the association between curcumin purity and effect. Through a review and summary of the clinical research on curcumin and case reports of adverse effects, we found that the clinical transformation of curcumin is not successful, and excessive intake of curcumin may have adverse effects on the kidneys, heart, liver, blood and immune system, which leads us to warn that curcumin has a long way to go from basic research to application transformation.

In Vitro Effect of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol on Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Isolated from Lung Cancer

There is evidence that demonstrates the effect of cannabinoid agonists inhibiting relevant aspects in lung cancer, such as proliferation or epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Most of these studies are based on evidence observed in in vitro models developed on cancer cell lines. These studies do not consider the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). One of the main components of the TME is cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), cells that are relevant in the control of proliferation and metastasis in lung cancer. In this work, we evaluated the direct effects of two cannabinoid agonists, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), used alone or in combination, on CAFs and non-tumor normal fibroblasts (NFs) isolated from adenocarcinoma or from healthy lung tissue from the same patients. We observed that these compounds decrease cell density in vitro and inhibit the increase in the relative expression of type 1 collagen (COL1A1) and fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1) induced by transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). On the other hand, we studied whether THC and CBD could modulate the interactions between CAFs or NFs and cancer cells. We conditioned the culture medium with stromal cells treated or not with THC and/or CBD and cultured A549 cells with them. We found that culture media conditioned with CAFs or NFs increased cell density, induced morphological changes consistent with EMT, inhibited cadherin-1 (CDH1) gene expression, and induced an increase in the relative expression of cadherin-2 (CDH2) and vimentin (VIM) genes in A549 cells. These changes were inhibited or decreased by THC and CBD administered alone or in combination. In another series of experiments, we conditioned culture media with A549 cells treated or not with THC and/or CBD, in the presence or absence of TGFβ. We observed that culture media conditioned with A549 in the presence of TGFβ induced an increase in the expression of COL1A1 and VIM, both in CAFs and in non-tumor NFs. Both THC and CBD ameliorated these effects. In summary, the results presented here reinforce the usefulness of cannabinoid agonists for the treatment of some relevant aspects of lung cancer pathology, and demonstrate in a novel way their possible effects on CAFs as a result of their relationship with cancer cells. Likewise, the results reinforce the usefulness of the combined use of THC and CBD, which has important advantages in relation to the possibility of using lower doses, thus minimizing the psychoactive effects of THC.

Radiosensitization and Radioprotection by Curcumin in Glioblastoma and Other Cancers

Radiation therapy plays an important role in almost every cancer treatment. However, radiation toxicity to normal tissues, mainly due to the generation of reactive free radicals, has limited the efficacy of radiotherapy in clinical practice. Curcumin has been reported to possess significant antitumor properties. Although curcumin can sensitize cancer cells to irradiation, healthy cells are much less sensitive to this effect, and thus, curcumin is thought to be a potent, yet safe anti-cancer agent. In this review, a summary of the role of curcumin as both a radiosensitizer and radioprotector has been presented, based on the most recent data from the experimental and clinical evaluation of curcumin in different cancer cell lines, animal models, and human patients.

GPI Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlates With Immune Infiltrates in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background

Glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) plays an important role in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. However, the role of GPI in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear.

Methods

All original data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and integrated via R 3.2.2. GPI expression was explored with TCGA, GEO, and Oncomine databases. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to analyze GPI expression in clinical specimens. The correlations between GPI and cancer immune characteristics were analyzed via the TIMER and TISIDB databases. GPI-specific siRNAs were used to verify the role of GPI expression on cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution.

Results

In general, GPI is predominantly overexpressed and has reference value in the diagnosis and prognostic estimation of LUAD. Upregulated GPI was associated with poorer overall survival, clinical stage, N stage, and primary therapy outcome in LUAD. Mechanistically, we identified a hub gene that included a total of 56 GPI-related genes, which were tightly associated with the cell cycle pathway in LUAD patients. Knockdown of GPI induced cell proliferation inhibition and cell cycle arrest. GPI expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of Th2 cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs); in contrast, GPI expression was negatively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD8⁺ T cells, central memory T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells, and eosinophils. GPI was negatively correlated with the expression of immunostimulators, such as CD40L, IL6R, and TMEM173, in LUAD.

Conclusion

GPI may play an important role in the cell cycle and can be used as a prognostic biomarker for determining the prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD.

Natural products: Potential targets of TME related long non-coding RNAs in lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a significant health concern worldwide due to high mortality and morbidity, despite the advances in diagnosis, treatment, and management. Recent experimental evidence from different models suggested long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as major modulators of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) to support metastasis and drug resistance in lung cancer. Evidence-based studies demonstrated that natural products interfere with TME functions.

PURPOSE OF STUDY

To establish lncRNAs of TME as novel targets of natural compounds for lung cancer management.

STUDY DESIGN

Current study used a combination of TME and lung CSCs, lncRNAs and enrichment and stemness maintenance, natural products and stem cell management, natural products and lncRNAs, natural products and targeted delivery as keywords to retrieve the literature from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. This study critically reviewed the current literature and presented cancer stem cells' ability in reprogramming lung TME.

RESULTS

This review found that TME related oncogenic and tumor suppressor lncRNAs and their signaling pathways control the maintenance of stemness in lung TME. This review explored natural phenolic compounds and found that curcumin, genistein, quercetin epigallocatechin gallate and ginsenoside Rh2 are efficient in managing lung CSCs. They modulate lncRNAs and their upstream mediators by targeting signaling and epigenetic pathways. This review also identified relevant nanotechnology-based phytochemical delivery approaches for targeting lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

By critical literature analysis, TME related lncRNAs were identified as potential therapeutic targets, aiming to develop natural product-based therapeutics to treat metastatic and drug-resistant lung cancers.

Contribution of Neuropilin-1 in Radiation-Survived Subclones of NSCLC Cell Line H1299

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive lung cancer accounting for approximately 85% of all lung cancer patients. For the patients with Stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC, the 5-year survival is low though with the combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, the occurrence of tumor cells (repopulated tumors) that survive irradiation remains a challenge. In our previous report, we subcloned the radiation-surviving tumor cells (IR cells) using the human NSCLC cell line, H1299, and found that the expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) was upregulated in IR cells by the microarray analysis. Here, we investigated the contribution of neuropilin-1 to changes in the characteristics of IR cells. Although there were no differences in angiogenic activity in the tube formation assay between parental and IR cells, the cell motility was increased in IR cells compared to parental cells in the cell migration assay. This enhanced cell motility was suppressed by pretreatment with anti-NRP-1 antibody. Although further studies are necessary to identify other molecules associated with NRP-1, the increase in cellular motility in IR cells might be due to the contribution of NRP-1. Inhibition of NRP-1 would help control tumor malignancy in radiation-surviving NSCLC.

Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Explore the Mechanism of Shan Ci Gu (Cremastra appendiculata) Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: In recent years, the incidence and mortality rates of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have increased significantly. Shan Ci Gu is commonly used as an anticancer drug in traditional Chinese medicine; however, its specific mechanism against NSCLC has not yet been elucidated. Here, the mechanism was clarified through network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database was searched for the active ingredients of Shan Ci Gu, and the relevant targets in the Swiss Target Prediction database were obtained according to the structure of the active ingredients. GeneCards were searched for NSCLC-related disease targets. We obtained the cross-target using VENNY to obtain the core targets. The core targets were imported into the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database, and Cytoscape software was used to operate a mesh chart. R software was used to analyze the Gene Ontology biological processes (BPs) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. The core targets and active compounds were molecularly docked through Auto-Dock Vina software to predict the detailed molecular mechanism of Shan Ci Gu for NSCLC treatment. We did a simple survival analysis with hub gene to assess the prognosis of NSCLC patients. Results: Three compounds were screened to obtain 143 target genes and 1,226 targets related to NSCLC, of which 56 genes were related to NSCLC treatment. Shan Ci Gu treatment for NSCLC involved many BPs and acted on main targets including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ESR1, and SRC through signaling pathways including the endocrine resistance, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, and ErbB signaling pathways. Shan Ci Gu might be beneficial for treating NSCLC by inhibiting cell proliferation and migration. Molecular docking revealed that the active compounds β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and 2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-4,5-diol had good affinity with the core target genes (EGFR, SRC, and ESR1). Core targets included EGFR, SRC, ESR1, ERBB2, MTOR, MCL1, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), MMP9, KDR, and JAK2. Key KEGG pathways included endocrine resistance, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, ErbB signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and Rap1 signaling pathways. These core targets and pathways have an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of NSCLC cells. Conclusion: Shan Ci Gu can treat NSCLC through a multi-target, multi-pathway molecular mechanism and effectively improve NSCLC prognosis. This study could serve as a reference for further mechanistic research on wider application of Shan Ci Gu for NSCLC treatment.