Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 22, 2025
Profiling Sensitivity to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patient-Derived Organoids
Published on: November 22, 2021
Synergistic Antitumor Activity of SH003 and Docetaxel via EGFR Signaling Inhibition in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Mi-So Jeong1, Kang-Wook Lee2, Yu-Jeong Choi1
1Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea.
Abstract:
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in lung cancer patients. Despite treatment with various EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, recurrence and metastasis of lung cancer are inevitable. Docetaxel (DTX) is an effective conventional drug that is used to treat various cancers. Several researchers have studied the use of traditional herbal medicine in combination with docetaxel, to improve lung cancer treatment. SH003, a novel herbal mixture, exerts anticancer effects in different cancer cell types. Here, we aimed to investigate the apoptotic and anticancer effects of SH003 in combination with DTX, in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SH003, with DTX, induced apoptotic cell death, with increased expression of cleaved caspases and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in NSCLC cells. Moreover, SH003 and DTX induced the apoptosis of H460 cells via the suppression of the EGFR and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways. In H460 tumor xenograft models, the administration of SH003 or docetaxel alone diminished tumor growth, and their combination effectively killed cancer cells, with increased expression of apoptotic markers and decreased expression of p-EGFR and p-STAT3. Collectively, the combination of SH003 and DTX may be a novel anticancer strategy to overcome the challenges that are associated with conventional lung cancer therapy.
Insights
The herbal mixture SH003 combined with docetaxel (DTX) effectively induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by inhibiting EGFR and STAT3 pathways.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression is common in lung cancer, leading to inevitable recurrence and metastasis despite tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments.
- Docetaxel (DTX) is a conventional chemotherapy agent, and its combination with traditional herbal medicines is being explored to enhance lung cancer treatment efficacy.
- SH003, a novel herbal mixture, has demonstrated anticancer properties in various cancer types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined apoptotic and anticancer effects of SH003 and DTX in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the synergistic effects of SH003 and DTX, focusing on key signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies using NSCLC cell lines (H460) to assess apoptosis induction and signaling pathway modulation.
- In vivo studies using H460 tumor xenograft models in mice to evaluate tumor growth inhibition and molecular marker expression.
Main Results:
- The combination of SH003 and DTX significantly induced apoptotic cell death in NSCLC cells, evidenced by increased cleaved caspases and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase.
- SH003 and DTX suppressed EGFR and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways, leading to apoptosis in H460 cells.
- In vivo, SH003 and DTX combination therapy effectively inhibited tumor growth, increased apoptotic markers, and decreased phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) levels.
Conclusions:
- The combination of SH003 and DTX exhibits potent anticancer effects in NSCLC through the induction of apoptosis and suppression of EGFR/STAT3 signaling.
- This herbal-chemotherapy combination represents a promising novel therapeutic strategy to overcome challenges in conventional lung cancer treatment.
- Further research into SH003 and DTX combination therapy could lead to improved outcomes for lung cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:49Cancer Therapies
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...