Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer
05:39

Spontaneous Murine Model of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Published on: February 3, 2023

Dendrobine inhibits anaplastic thyroid cancer progression by targeting the JAK-STAT3 pathway

Yanhuan Shang1, Dan Zhang1

  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China.

Frontiers in Oncology
|June 18, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Dendrobine shows significant antitumor effects against anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) by inhibiting the JAK-STAT3 pathway. This natural compound suppressed cell growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options.
  • The Janus kinase-STAT3 (JAK-STAT3) signaling pathway is frequently dysregulated in various cancers, including ATC, promoting tumor growth and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential antitumor effects of dendrobine on ATC cells.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanism of dendrobine's action, specifically its targeting of the JAK-STAT3 pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Human ATC cell lines (CAL-62, 8505C) were treated with dendrobine. Assays included cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion.
  • Protein expression (E-cad, N-cad, Vim, JAK1, JAK2, STAT3, and their phosphorylated forms) was analyzed via Western blot and immunofluorescence.
  • Pathway reversibility was assessed using IL-6 or STAT3-siRNA pretreatment.
  • An in vivo xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate dendrobine's efficacy and safety.

Main Results:

  • Dendrobine significantly inhibited ATC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion while inducing apoptosis.
  • Dendrobine upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated N-cadherin and Vimentin, indicating inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • Dendrobine suppressed the phosphorylation of JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3, key components of the JAK-STAT3 pathway. IL-6 pretreatment reversed these effects, while STAT3-siRNA enhanced dendrobine's efficacy.
  • In vivo studies showed dendrobine reduced tumor volume and weight, improved liver function indices, and exhibited no nephrotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Dendrobine demonstrates potent antitumor activity against ATC.
  • The mechanism involves the inhibition of the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway.
  • Dendrobine represents a promising therapeutic candidate for ATC treatment.
Keywords:
JAK-STAT3 pathwayanaplastic thyroid carcinomadendrobineinvasionmigrationproliferation

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