Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors
07:33

In vitro Organoid Culture of Primary Mouse Colon Tumors

Published on: May 17, 2013

36.0K

Exendin-4 does not modify growth or apoptosis of human colon cancer cells

He Wenjing1,2, Yu Shuang1, Li Weisong3

  • 1a Department of Endocrinology , The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University , Guangzhou , China.

Endocrine Research
|March 21, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists do not affect colon cancer cell growth or survival. These findings suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists may be safe for diabetic patients with colon cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are widely used antidiabetes medications.
  • These drugs activate signaling pathways (PI3K, ERK1/2) that can also promote cancer cell growth.
  • The potential impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on colon cancer warrants investigation due to these shared pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if GLP-1 receptor agonists influence the growth and survival of human colon cancer cells.
  • To investigate the expression of the GLP-1 receptor in colon cancer tissues and cell lines.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry was used to assess GLP-1 receptor expression in human colon cancer samples.
  • Exendin-4, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was tested on colon cancer cell lines in vitro for effects on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis.
  • The in vivo effects of exendin-4 on colon cancer cell propagation were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • No expression of the GLP-1 receptor was detected in human colon cancer tissues or cell lines.
  • Exendin-4 did not enhance the proliferation or migration of colon cancer cells in vitro.
  • Exendin-4 did not protect colon cancer cells from apoptosis induced by chemotherapy agents (5-FU, irinotecan) and did not promote tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • GLP-1 receptor agonists do not appear to influence the growth or survival of human colon cancer cells.
  • These findings suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists could be safely used in diabetic patients diagnosed with colon cancer.
Keywords:
Exendin-4apoptosiscolon cancer cellsgrowthmodulate

More Related Videos

Modeling Colitis-Associated Cancer with Azoxymethane AOM and Dextran Sulfate Sodium DSS12:37

Modeling Colitis-Associated Cancer with Azoxymethane AOM and Dextran Sulfate Sodium DSS

Published on: September 11, 2012

48.2K
Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

19.2K

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
7.6K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.8K