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Growth hormone - releasing hormone antagonists induce autophagy in cancer cells

Madan Sigdel1, Saikat Fakir1, Md Matiur Rahman Sarker1

  • 1School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, LA 71201, USA.

Growth Hormone & IGF Research : Official Journal of the Growth Hormone Research Society and the International IGF Research Society
|October 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonists (GHRHAnt) were found to induce autophagy in cancer cells expressing GHRH receptors. This suggests autophagy may mediate the anti-cancer effects of GHRHAnt.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Growth hormone-releasing hormone antagonists (GHRHAnt) are investigated for cancer suppression.
  • GHRHAnt exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, but underlying mechanisms are unclear.
  • Autophagy is a cellular process implicated in cancer development and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of GHRHAnt JV-1-36 on autophagy in cancer cells.
  • To determine if GHRH receptor expression influences the response to GHRHAnt.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of GHRH receptor-expressing cancer cells (MDA-MB-468, A549) and non-expressing cells (MCF-7) with GHRHAnt JV-1-36.
  • Evaluation of autophagy markers, including autophagy-related proteins (ATG) 5, 3, 7, and 16L1, via expression level analysis.

Main Results:

  • GHRHAnt JV-1-36 treatment induced autophagy in MDA-MB-468 and A549 cells.
  • Elevated expression of ATG-5, ATG-3, ATG-7, and ATG-16L1 was observed in response to GHRHAnt.
  • MCF-7 cells, lacking GHRH receptors, did not exhibit an autophagic response to GHRHAnt.

Conclusions:

  • GHRHAnt may exert beneficial effects in cancer treatment by inducing autophagy.
  • GHRH receptor expression is critical for mediating the autophagic response to GHRHAnt.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms involved.
Keywords:
Autophagy-related proteinsBreast cancerGHRHLung cancerPeptides

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