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Updated: Nov 12, 2025
Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro
Published on: June 20, 2018
Trichosanthin cooperates with Granzyme B to restrain tumor formation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Zeyao Zhu1,2, Zhenguang Ying2, Meiqi Zeng1
1School of Dentistry, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.
Background:
Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is a common type of oral cancer, with a relatively poor prognosis and low post-treatment survival rate. Various strategies and novel drugs to treat TSCC are emerging and under investigation. Trichosanthin (TCS), extracted from the root tubers of Tian-Hua-Fen, has been found to have multiple biological and pharmacological functions, including inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Granzyme B (GrzB) is a common toxic protein secreted by natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells. Our group has reported that TCS combined with GrzB might be a superior approach to inhibit liver tumor progression, but data relating to the use of this combination to treat TSCC remain limited. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of TCS on TSCC processes and underlying mechanisms.
Methods:
First, we screened the potential antitumor activity of TCS using two types of SCC cell lines. Subsequently, a subcutaneous squamous cell carcinoma xenograft model in nude mice was established. These model mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated as follows: control group, TCS treatment group, GrzB treatment group, and TCS/GrzB combination treatment group. Various tumorigenesis parameters, such as Ki67, PCNA, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and VEGFA, et al., were performed to determine the effects of these treatments on tumor development.
Results:
Screening confirmed that the SCC25 line exhibited greater sensitivity than the SCC15 line to TCS in vitro studies. TCS or GrzB treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with the inhibition seen in the control group. The TCS/GrzB combination inhibited tumor growth more than either drug alone. TCS treatment inhibited tumor proliferation by downregulating Ki67 and Bcl2 protein expression while accelerating tumor apoptosis. In the TCS/GrzB-treated group, expression of Ki67 was further downregulated, while the level of activated caspase-3 was increased, compared with their expression in either of the single drug treatment groups.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that the TCS/GrzB combination could represent an effective immunotherapy for TSCC.
Insights
The combination of Trichosanthin (TCS) and Granzyme B (GrzB) shows promise for treating tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). This immunotherapy approach effectively inhibits tumor growth and proliferation, offering a potential new treatment strategy for this oral cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) presents a significant challenge due to poor prognosis and low survival rates.
- Existing treatments for TSCC are limited, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies.
- Trichosanthin (TCS) exhibits anticancer properties, and Granzyme B (GrzB) is a cytotoxic protein with potential in cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Trichosanthin (TCS) in treating tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).
- To evaluate the combined therapeutic effect of TCS and Granzyme B (GrzB) on TSCC progression.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of TCS and TCS/GrzB combination therapy in TSCC.
Main Methods:
- Antitumor activity of TCS was screened in vitro using two TSCC cell lines (SCC25 and SCC15).
- A subcutaneous xenograft model of TSCC in nude mice was established for in vivo studies.
- Mice were treated with control, TCS alone, GrzB alone, or the TCS/GrzB combination, and tumorigenesis parameters were analyzed.
Main Results:
- SCC25 cells demonstrated higher sensitivity to TCS than SCC15 cells in vitro.
- Both TCS and GrzB treatments significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to the control group.
- The TCS/GrzB combination therapy demonstrated superior tumor growth inhibition compared to either agent alone, downregulating Ki67 and Bcl2 while increasing cleaved caspase-3 expression.
Conclusions:
- The combination of TCS and GrzB shows significant potential as an effective immunotherapy for tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).
- This combination therapy offers a promising new avenue for improving treatment outcomes in TSCC patients.
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