Morphine promotes non-small cell lung cancer progression by downregulating E-cadherin via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Morphine promotes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression by increasing cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and reduces E-cadherin, driving tumor growth.
Area Of Science
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background
- Morphine's impact on lung cancer survival is debated, with unclear molecular mechanisms.
- Understanding morphine's effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is crucial.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of morphine's influence on NSCLC malignancy.
- To explore how morphine affects cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.
Main Methods
- Assessed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in A549 and Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cells.
- Evaluated E-cadherin expression via immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry.
- Analyzed protein levels of E-cadherin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway components via Western blot.
- Investigated in vivo effects using a xenograft mouse model with naloxone as an antagonist.
Main Results
- Morphine (10 µM) significantly increased proliferation, migration, and invasion in A549 and LLC cells.
- Morphine reduced E-cadherin expression and increased PI3K, AKT, and mTOR phosphorylation.
- In vivo, morphine (1.5 mg/kg) promoted tumor growth and reduced E-cadherin, effects reversed by naloxone (0.1 mg/kg).
Conclusions
- Morphine stimulates NSCLC proliferation and xenograft tumor growth.
- Morphine likely activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and inhibits E-cadherin, promoting lung cancer progression.
- Targeting the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) may be a therapeutic strategy.
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