The Curcumin Analogue PAC Induces Selective Apoptosis-Related Transcriptomic Reprogramming in Oral Squamous Carcinoma
Sara Benchekroun1, Meriem Hammache1, Fatiha Chandad1
1Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
The curcumin analog PAC selectively targets oral cancer cells, inducing apoptosis without harming normal cells. This shows PAC
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Molecular Oncology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a significant health challenge.
- Curcumin analogs offer potential therapeutic avenues due to their anticancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the selective anticancer activity of PAC (3,5-Bis-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-N-methyl-4-piperidone).
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PAC's effects on oral cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Cell viability, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and caspase activation assays were performed on normal gingival epithelial cells (GECs) and oral cancer cell lines (Ca9-22, CAL27).
- Gene-expression profiling using RT² Profiler PCR arrays analyzed apoptosis-related gene modulation.
- PAC (0-10 µM) was used to treat cells for 24 hours.
Main Results:
- PAC exhibited significant concentration-dependent inhibition of Ca9-22 and CAL27 cell proliferation (IC50 = 5 µM) with no cytotoxicity to GECs.
- PAC induced apoptosis and caspase activation in oral cancer cells.
- Transcriptomic analysis revealed PAC modulated apoptosis-related genes, suppressing survival pathways in Ca9-22 cells and upregulating pro-apoptotic genes in CAL27 cells.
Conclusions:
- PAC demonstrates potent selective anticancer activity against oral squamous cell carcinoma.
- PAC targets intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, supporting its therapeutic potential for oral cancer.
- PAC is a promising multitarget candidate for oral cancer treatment.
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