Effect of inhibitors of cysteine and serine proteases in anticancer drug-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cells

: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. In the present study, we investigated the potential activity of OSI-027, a potent and selective mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1/2 (mTOR1/2) dual inhibitor, alone or in combination with oxaliplatin against gastric cancer cells in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 assays and EdU staining were performed to examine the proliferation of cancer cells. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the elements of the mTOR pathway and Pgp in gastric cancer cell lines. OSI-027 inhibited the proliferation of MKN-45 and AGS cells by arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. At the molecular level, OSI-027 simultaneously blocked mTORC1 and mTORC2 activation, and resulted in the downregulation of phosphor-Akt, phpspho-p70S6k, phosphor-4EBP1, cyclin D1, and cyclin-dependent kinase4 (CDK4). Additionally, OSI-027 also downregulated P-gp, which enhanced oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis and suppressed multidrug resistance. Moreover, OSI-027 exhibited synergistic cytotoxic effects with oxaliplatin in vitro, while a P-gp siRNA knockdown significantly inhibited the synergistic effect. In summary, our results suggest that dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitors (e.g., OSI-027) should be further investigated as a potential valuable treatment for gastric cancer.

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Albendazole Exhibits Anti-Neoplastic Actions against Gastric Cancer Cells by Affecting STAT3 and STAT5 Activation by Pleiotropic Mechanism(s)

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9040362 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 362

Author(s):

Min Hee Yang ◽

In Jin Ha ◽

Jae-Young Um ◽

Kwang Seok Ahn

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Small Interfering Rna ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Drug Induced ◽

Cellular Apoptosis ◽

Interfering Rna

Albendazole (ABZ) has been reported to display anti-tumoral actions against various maliganncies, but possible impact of ABZ on gastric cancer has not been deciphered. As aberrant phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5 proteins can regulate the growth and progression of gastric cancer, we postulated that ABZ may interrupt the activation of these oncogenic transcription factors. We found that ABZ exposure abrogated STAT3/5 activation, inhibited phosphorylation of Janus-activated kinases 1/2 and Src and enhanced the levels of SHP-1 protein. Silencing of SHP-1 gene by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reversed the ABZ-promoted attenuation of STAT3 as well as STAT5 activation and cellular apoptosis. In addition, these effects were noted to be driven by an augmented levels of reactive oxygen species caused by drug-induced GSH/GSSG imbalance. Thus, the data indicates that ABZ can modulate the activation of STAT3 and STAT5 by pleiotropic mechanisms in gastric cancer cells.

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Sevoflurane represses the migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells by regulating forkhead box protein 3

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/03000605211005936 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 030006052110059

Author(s):

Fangfang Yong ◽

Hemei Wang ◽

Chao Li ◽

Huiqun Jia

Keyword(s):

Gastric Cancer ◽

Cell Migration ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Migration And Invasion ◽

Control Group ◽

Gastric Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Migration And Invasion ◽

Forkhead Box ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Objective Previous studies suggested that sevoflurane exerts anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects on cancer cells. To determine the role of sevoflurane on gastric cancer (GC) progression, we evaluated its effects on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SGC7901, AGS, and MGC803 GC cells. Methods GC cells were exposed to different concentrations of sevoflurane (1.7, 3.4, or 5.1% v/v). Cell viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and Transwell assays. Immunohistochemical staining and immunoblotting were performed to analyze forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) protein expression in tissue specimens and cell lines, respectively. Results FOXP3 was downregulated in human GC specimens and cell lines. Functionally, FOXP3 overexpression significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells and accelerated their apoptosis. Moreover, sevoflurane significantly blocked GC cell migration and invasion compared with the findings in the control group. However, FOXP3 silencing neutralized sevoflurane-induced apoptosis and the inhibition of GC cell migration and invasion. Sevoflurane-induced apoptosis and the suppression of migration and invasion might be associated with FOXP3 overactivation in GC cells. Conclusions Sevoflurane activated FOXP3 and prevented GC progression via inhibiting cell migration and invasion in vitro.

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