Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Profiling Sensitivity to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patient-Derived Organoids
08:52

Profiling Sensitivity to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patient-Derived Organoids

Published on: November 22, 2021

Effect of PTEN antisense oligonucleotide on oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

M M Sun1, M Z Zhang, Y Chen

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

The Journal of International Medical Research
|January 17, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Targeting phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) with antisense oligonucleotides reduced PTEN levels, increased proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells, suggesting PTEN

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a significant global health concern.
  • The role of tumor suppressor genes, like PTEN, in OSCC development requires further elucidation.
  • Understanding the PTEN/mTOR pathway is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of PTEN modulation on OSCC cell lines.
  • To analyze the effects of PTEN antisense oligonucleotide on PTEN and mTOR expression.
  • To assess the influence on cell proliferation and apoptosis in OSCC.

Main Methods:

  • EC9706 and EC1 OSCC cell lines were utilized.
  • Cells were transfected with PTEN antisense, sense, or nonsense oligonucleotides.
  • PTEN and mTOR mRNA/protein levels were quantified using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry, alongside proliferation and apoptosis assays.

Main Results:

  • PTEN antisense oligonucleotide treatment led to dose- and time-dependent increases in cell proliferation and decreases in apoptosis.
  • Significant downregulation of PTEN mRNA and protein was observed.
  • Concurrently, a significant upregulation of mTOR mRNA and protein was detected.

Conclusions:

  • PTEN plays a critical role as a tumor suppressor in the context of OSCC.
  • Modulating PTEN levels impacts key cellular processes like proliferation and apoptosis in OSCC.
  • The findings highlight the PTEN/mTOR pathway as a potential therapeutic target in OSCC.

More Related Videos

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...