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Cuan X, Yang X, Zhu W, Zhao Y, Luo R, Huang Y, Wang X, Sheng J. Antitumor effects of erlotinib in combination with berberine in A431 cells. BMC Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 24:29. [PMID: 37170144 PMCID: PMC10173514 DOI: 10.1186/s40360-023-00661-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND First-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as erlotinib, have been shown to target tumors with L858R (exon 21) and exon 19 deletions, resulting in significant clinical benefits. However, acquired resistance often occurs due to EGFR mutations. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of patients with EGFR-positive tumors are needed. Berberine (BBR) is an active alkaloid extracted from pharmaceutical plants such as Coptis chinensis. Berberine has been shown to significantly inhibit EGFR activity and mediate anticancer effects in multiple preclinical studies. We investigated whether combining BBR with erlotinib could augment erlotinib-induced cell growth inhibition of EGFR-positive cells in a mouse xenograft model. METHODS We examined the antitumor activities and potential mechanisms of erlotinib in combination with berberine in vitro and in vivo using the MTT assay, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and tumor xenograft models. RESULTS In vitro studies with A431 cells showed that synergistic cell growth inhibition by the combination of BBR and erlotinib was associated with significantly greater inhibition of pEGFR and pAKT, and inhibition of cyclin D and Bcl-2 expression compared to that observed in response to BBR or erlotinib alone. The efficacy of the combination treatment was also investigated in nude mice. Consistent with the in vitro results, BBR plus erlotinib significantly reduced tumor growth. CONCLUSION Our data supported use of BBR in combination with erlotinib as a novel strategy for treatment of patients with EGFR positive tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdan Cuan
- College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Xingying Yang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Weiwei Zhu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Rui Luo
- College of Food Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yanping Huang
- Key Laboratory of Pu-er Tea Science, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 452, Fengyuan Road, Panlong District, Kunming, 650201, China.
- College of Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
| | - Xuanjun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pu-er Tea Science, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 452, Fengyuan Road, Panlong District, Kunming, 650201, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Kunming, 650201, China.
- Yunnan Research Institute of Plateau Characteristic Agricultural and Industry, Kunming, 650201, China.
| | - Jun Sheng
- Key Laboratory of Pu-er Tea Science, Ministry of Education, Yunnan Agricultural University, No. 452, Fengyuan Road, Panlong District, Kunming, 650201, China.
- College of Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, 650201, China.
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Kunming, 650201, China.
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