Feiyanning formula modulates the molecular mechanism of osimertinib resistance in lung cancer by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism by which resveratrol acts on osimertinib resistance in lung cancer

Globally, osimertinib resistance has been a long-term challenge. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found in various plants, has the potential to modulate multidrug resistance mechanisms. However, the specific role of resveratrol in delaying osimertinib resistance in lung cancer is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of resveratrol in delaying osimertinib resistance. Accordingly, the corresponding targets of resveratrol were screened through the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. Similarly, the corresponding targets for osimertinib resistance were mined from the GeneCards database. A protein-protein interaction network was subsequently constructed to pinpoint key hub genes that resveratrol may target to delay resistance. Molecular docking analysis was then employed to assess the binding energy between the predicted key targets and resveratrol. Finally, in vitro experiments were performed to validate the results. Ultimately, 13 potential therapeutic targets of resveratrol related to delaying osimertinib resistance were identified. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis suggested that the effects of resveratrol may be associated with the apoptotic pathway. Molecular docking revealed that resveratrol has good binding affinities with MCL1 and BCL2L11. In vitro experiments confirmed that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of osimertinib-resistant cells and upregulated the expression of BCL2L11. In conclusion, resveratrol may promote apoptosis by targeting BCL2L11 to delay osimertinib resistance.

Network pharmacology and experimental analysis reveal Ethyl caffeate delays osimertinib resistance in lung cancer by suppression of MET

BACKGROUND

Fei Yanning Formula (FYN) is extensively applied in clinical lung cancer treatment. However, the specific active constituents and targets of its therapeutic effects remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to explore the active constituents and mechanism of FYN in delaying osimertinib resistance by network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification.

METHODS

We collected the chemical constituents of the FYN based on the TCMSP database and relevant literature sources. Osimertinib resistance-related targets were acquired from the GeneCards database. We systematically construct the PPI network and KEGG analysis to explore hub targets and key pathways. The main active components of FYN were identified by molecular docking. Subsequently, we conducted in vitro experiments to verify its effect on osimertinib-resistant cells in lung cancer.

RESULTS

The PPI network and KEGG pathways analysis revealed six key targets linked to PI3K-AKT signaling pathways (ERBB2, EGFR, MET, HSP90AA1, MCL1, and IGF1R). RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that FYN could suppress the expression of ERBB2, MET and HSP90AA1. Molecular docking indicated that Ethyl caffeate, the primary component in FYN, had a stronger binding ability with MET. Experiments illustrated that Ethyl caffeate inhibited the migration and proliferation of osimertinib-resistant cells, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed the expression level of MET.

CONCLUSION

FYN might delay osimertinib resistance by downregulating the expression of MET, which can be attributed to its active ingredient, Ethyl caffeate.

Targeting Wnt signaling in cancer drug resistance: Insights from pre-clinical and clinical research

Cancer drug resistance, encompassing both acquired and intrinsic chemoresistance, remains a significant challenge in the clinical management of tumors. While advancements in drug discovery and the development of various small molecules and anti-cancer compounds have improved patient responses to chemotherapy, the frequent and prolonged use of these drugs continues to pose a high risk of developing chemoresistance. Therefore, understanding the primary mechanisms underlying drug resistance is crucial. Wnt proteins, as secreted signaling molecules, play a pivotal role in transmitting signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. Aberrant expression of Wnt proteins has been observed in a variety of solid and hematological tumors, where they contribute to key processes such as proliferation, metastasis, stemness, and immune evasion, often acting in an oncogenic manner. Notably, the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in modulating chemotherapy response in human cancers has garnered significant attention. This review focuses on the involvement of Wnt signaling and its related molecular pathways in drug resistance, highlighting their associations with cancer hallmarks, stemness, and tumorigenesis linked to chemoresistance. Additionally, the overexpression of Wnt proteins has been shown to accelerate cancer drug resistance, with regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs. Elevated Wnt activity reduces cell death in cancers, particularly by affecting mechanisms like apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Furthermore, pharmacological compounds and small molecules have demonstrated the potential to modulate Wnt signaling in cancer therapy. Given its impact, Wnt expression can also serve as a prognostic marker and a factor influencing survival outcomes in human cancers.

Natural compounds: Wnt pathway inhibitors with therapeutic potential in lung cancer

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is abnormally activated in most lung cancer tissues and considered to be an accelerator of carcinogenesis and lung cancer progression, which is closely related to increased morbidity rates, malignant progression, and treatment resistance. Although targeting the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway shows significant potential for lung cancer therapy, it still faces challenges owing to its complexity, tumor heterogeneity and wide physiological activity. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the role of the abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in lung cancer progression. Moreover, Wnt inhibitors used in lung cancer clinical trials are expected to break existing therapeutic patterns, although their adverse effects limit the treatment window. This is the first study to summarize the research progress on various compounds, including natural products and derivatives, that target the canonical Wnt pathway in lung cancer to develop safer and more targeted drugs or alternatives. Various natural products have been found to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin in various ways, such as through upstream and downstream intervention pathways, and have shown encouraging preclinical anti-tumor efficacy. Their diversity and low toxicity make them a popular research topic, laying the foundation for further combination therapies and drug development.