Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

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Cordycepin Inhibits Growth and Metastasis Formation of MDA-MB-231 Xenografts in Nude Mice by Modulating the Hedgehog

Wenya Wu1,2, Xiaomin Li1,2, Meng Qi1,2

  • 1College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cordycepin effectively inhibits triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) growth and metastasis in vivo by targeting the Hedgehog pathway. This study validates cordycepin

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cordycepin previously showed in vitro inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cell growth and metastasis via the Hedgehog pathway.
  • Validation of cordycepin's in vivo efficacy and mechanism against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm cordycepin's anti-TNBC effects in vivo.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of cordycepin's action in TNBC, focusing on the Hedgehog pathway.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo xenograft models using MDA-MB-231 cells in nude mice.
  • RNA sequencing, pathway enrichment, and protein network analysis.
  • Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to validate pathway inhibition.

Main Results:

  • Cordycepin significantly reduced xenograft volume and weight with no observed side effects.
  • Hedgehog pathway components (SHH, GLI2) were identified as key targets.
  • Hedgehog pathway activation correlates with poor survival in breast cancer patients.

Conclusions:

  • Cordycepin demonstrates in vivo efficacy against TNBC by inhibiting the Hedgehog pathway.
  • Targeting the Hedgehog pathway with cordycepin offers a potential therapeutic strategy for TNBC.
  • This study provides novel insights into cordycepin's mechanism for treating breast cancer.
Keywords:
Cordyceps militarisHedgehog pathwaycordycepintriple-negative breast cancer

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