Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Multiomics Analysis of TMEM200A as a Pan-Cancer Biomarker
07:47

Multiomics Analysis of TMEM200A as a Pan-Cancer Biomarker

Published on: September 15, 2023

Gamma-tocotrienol suppresses prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasion through multiple-signalling pathways

W N Yap1, P N Chang, H Y Han

  • 1Davos Life Science Pte. Ltd., Cancer Research Laboratory, 11 Biopolis way, #07-03, The Helios 138667, Singapore.

British Journal of Cancer
|November 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Gamma-tocotrienol shows potent anticancer effects on prostate cancer (PCa) cells by inducing apoptosis and suppressing key survival pathways. It also inhibits invasion and enhances chemotherapy effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant health concern.
  • Tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) has shown potential antiproliferative effects on PCa cells.
  • Identifying specific isomers and their mechanisms is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the most potent tocotrienol isomer against PCa cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular pathways underlying gamma-tocotrienol's anticancer activity.
  • To evaluate the anti-invasion and chemosensitization potential of gamma-tocotrienol.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies using PCa cell lines.
  • Apoptosis assays (pro-caspase activation, sub-G1 population).
  • Analysis of signaling pathways (NF-kappaB, EGF-R, Id proteins, JNK) and gene expression (mesenchymal markers, E-cadherin, gamma-catenin).
  • Combination treatment with gamma-tocotrienol and Docetaxel.

Main Results:

  • Gamma-tocotrienol demonstrated the most potent antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects.
  • Cell death was linked to the suppression of NF-kappaB, EGF-R, Id1, and Id3.
  • Gamma-tocotrienol activated the JNK signaling pathway.
  • Suppression of mesenchymal markers and restoration of E-cadherin/gamma-catenin reduced cell invasion.
  • Synergistic effects observed with Docetaxel co-treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Gamma-tocotrienol exhibits potent anticancer properties against prostate cancer via multiple signaling pathways.
  • It possesses significant anti-invasion and chemosensitization capabilities.
  • Gamma-tocotrienol represents a promising therapeutic agent for prostate cancer treatment.

More Related Videos

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis06:48

An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis

Published on: September 18, 2013

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay09:58

RhoC GTPase Activation Assay

Published on: August 22, 2010

Related Concept Videos

TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...