Apatinib has anti-tumor effects and induces autophagy in colon cancer cells
Wu Lu1,2, He Ke3,4, Ding Qianshan1
1Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Objectives:
Apatinib recently has been used to treat patients with gastric cancer, but the function of apatinib in colon cancer remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of apatinib on the biological function and its potential mechanism of colon cancer cells in vitro.
Materials And Methods:
The effect of apatinib in colon cancer cells were detected by assessing cell viability, migration and invasion capabilities. Apoptosis cells and the cell cycle distribution of colon cancer cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The potential mechanism was investigated via autophagy related proteins and pathways in vitro.
Results:
The proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells were inhibited when they were treated with different concentration of apatinib (20, 40 μM). When HCT116 and SW480 cells were treated with apatinib at the concentration of 20 μM, the apoptosis percentage were 3.7% and 5.8% respectively. As the drug concentration increased to 40μΜ, the the apoptosis percentage increased to 11.9% and 13.5%. Meanwhile, cell cycle was also altered. Furthermore, apatinib inhibited the expression of AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and increased the expression of LC3-II.
Conclusion:
Apatinib can significantly inhibit the malignant phenotype of colon cancer cells, and it was involved in regulation of autophagy.
Insights
Apatinib inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. This drug also induces apoptosis and regulates autophagy, offering potential as a colon cancer therapeutic.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Apatinib is approved for gastric cancer treatment.
- Its role in colon cancer is not well-understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate apatinib's effects on colon cancer cell biological functions.
- Elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cell viability, migration, and invasion.
- Analyzed apoptosis and cell cycle via flow cytometry.
- Examined autophagy-related proteins and pathways.
Main Results:
- Apatinib (20, 40 μM) inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- Apoptosis increased with higher apatinib concentrations.
- Apatinib altered cell cycle distribution and inhibited the AKT-mTOR pathway.
- Increased LC3-II expression indicated autophagy regulation.
Conclusions:
- Apatinib significantly suppresses colon cancer cell malignant phenotypes.
- Apatinib's mechanism involves autophagy regulation.
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