Allicin mediated CD8⁺ T cell anti-colorectal cancer by targeting STAT3

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
• Allicin, a compound found in garlic, shows potential for cancer therapy.
• The immunomodulatory effects of allicin in CRC treatment are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anti-tumor mechanisms of allicin in colorectal cancer.
• To determine if allicin exerts its effects by regulating the immune system, particularly CD8+ T cells.
• To elucidate the molecular targets of allicin in CRC treatment.

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry to analyze immune cell infiltration and CD8+ T cell function in tumor-bearing mice.
• RNA-sequencing and Western blotting to identify allicin's molecular mechanisms.
• Cell proliferation, migration assays (CCK-8, cloning, transwell), and in vivo efficacy studies in nude mice.

Main Results:

• Allicin significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo (72.2% inhibition rate).
• Allicin promoted CD8+ T cell infiltration (18.44% to 47.01%) and enhanced their function (increased IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ secretion; decreased TIM-3 expression).
• Allicin targeted STAT3 in CD8+ T cells and tumor cells, leading to significant anti-tumor effects (80.3% and 53.6% inhibition, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Allicin demonstrates potent anti-tumor efficacy against colorectal cancer.
• Allicin enhances anti-tumor immunity by modulating CD8+ T cell responses.
• Targeting STAT3 in both immune and tumor cells is a key mechanism for allicin's anti-CRC activity, positioning it as a promising therapeutic candidate.