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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

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Targeting of MNK/eIF4E overcomes chemoresistance in cervical cancer

Yuanyuan Zhu1, Changying Wang1, Mingqun Li2

  • 1Department of Oncology, Xiangyang No.1 People's Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, Hubei, China.

The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
|July 13, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Cervical cancer chemoresistance can be overcome by cercosporamide, an MNK inhibitor. This drug preferentially targets cancer cells by inhibiting eIF4E activation, enhancing chemotherapy efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is activated in cancers under stress.
  • MAP kinase interacting serine/threonine kinase (MNK) regulates eIF4E in cancer cells.
  • Chemoresistance is a major challenge in advanced cervical cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of chemotherapy on eIF4E in cervical cancer.
  • To evaluate cercosporamide, an MNK inhibitor, for its ability to reverse chemoresistance.
  • To assess cercosporamide's potential in mitigating chemoresistance in cervical cancer.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo cell assays and mouse tumor models were employed.
  • Western blotting was used to analyze cell signaling pathways.
  • Efficacy of cercosporamide alone and in combination with chemotherapy was determined.

Main Results:

  • Cercosporamide demonstrated selective toxicity towards cervical cancer cells, sparing normal cells.
  • It inhibited cancer cell growth, migration, and induced apoptosis.
  • Cercosporamide enhanced the efficacy of doxorubicin and cisplatin against chemoresistant cells, both in vitro and in vivo.
  • Cercosporamide abolished chemotherapy-induced eIF4E activation by suppressing eIF4E signaling.

Conclusions:

  • Cercosporamide effectively overcomes chemoresistance in cervical cancer.
  • It achieves this by preferentially inhibiting eIF4E activation through MNK inhibition.
  • This study highlights cercosporamide as a promising therapeutic agent for chemoresistant cervical cancer.
Keywords:
cercosporamidecervical cancerchemoresistanceeIF4E

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