[Apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells induced by all-trans retinoic acid]

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Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids
10:43

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids

Published on: December 23, 2022

Tai-Ying Lu1, Qing-Xia Fan, Liu-Xing Wang

  • 1Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.

Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi [Chinese Journal of Oncology]
|April 10, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) inhibits esophageal cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis. ATRA treatment enhanced caspase-3 and decreased bcl-2 gene expression in EC9706 cells.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Context:

  • Esophageal carcinoma is a significant global health concern.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of anti-cancer agents is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is a derivative of vitamin A with known biological activities.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the anti-tumor effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying ATRA's action, focusing on apoptosis and cell cycle regulation.

Summary:

  • Human esophageal carcinoma EC9706 cells were treated with varying concentrations of ATRA.
  • MTT assays, morphological examination, TUNEL, and flow cytometry assessed proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and cell cycle changes.
  • Immunohistochemistry revealed ATRA's dose- and time-dependent effects on apoptosis-related genes: increased caspase-3 and decreased bcl-2 expression.

Impact:

  • ATRA demonstrates moderate anti-proliferative effects on EC9706 cells.
  • ATRA induces apoptosis, evidenced by morphological changes and a significant increase in the apoptosis rate (up to 32.6%).
  • Apoptosis, mediated by modulation of caspase-3 and bcl-2, is identified as a key mechanism of ATRA's anti-cancer activity in this esophageal cancer model.

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