Licochalcone-A sensitizes human esophageal carcinoma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by proteasomal degradation of XIAP. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Licochalcone-A sensitizes human esophageal carcinoma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by proteasomal degradation of XIAP.
Hepatogastroenterology. 2014 Jul-Aug;61(133):1229-34. PMID: 25436288
Pengfei Yang
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most aggressive human cancers, and novel treatment modality is required. Although expressing adequate levels of functional tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptors DR4/DR5, significant proportion of esophageal cancer cells exhibit resistance to the cytotoxic effect of this ligand. Licochalcone-A (LA), a flavonoid present in a variety of edible plants, exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacologic properties such as anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities.
METHODOLOGY: Eca109 and TE1 cells were cultured and transfected, then their viability was detected using MTT assay. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analysis and RT-PCR analysis were also performed.
RESULTS: In this study, we found that LA synergistically caused the TRAIL-induced apoptosis in Eca109 and TE1 cells. Such potentiation was achieved through inhibiting Akt activation and promoting proteasomal degradation of X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein (XIAP) which mediated the survival signals and allow the cells to escape from apoptosis in various human cancers.
CONCLUSIONS: The combination of TRAIL and LA might be a novel therapeutic strategy for esophageal carcinoma patients who fail to respond to standard chemotherapy.