Lou Wei, Chen Yan, Zhu Ke-Ying, Deng Huizi, Wu Tianhao, Wang Jun
Department of Pharmacy, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.
Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, The Academy of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University.
Biol Pharm Bull. 2017 Aug 1;40(8):1306-1313. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b17-00271. Epub 2017 May 18.
Acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is the most important limiting factor for treatment efficiency in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Much work has linked the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to the emergence of drug resistance, consequently, ongoing research has been focused on exploring the therapeutic options to reverse EMT for delaying or preventing drug resistance. Polyphyllin I (PPI) is a natural compound isolated from Paris polyphylla rhizomes and displayed anti-cancer properties. In the current work, we aimed to testify whether PPI could reverse EMT and overcome acquired EGFR-TKI resistance. We exposed HCC827 lung adenocarcinoma cells to erlotinib which resulted in acquired resistance with strong features of EMT. PPI effectively restored drug sensitivity of cells that obtained acquired resistance. PPI reversed EMT and decreased interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway activation in erlotinib-resistant cells. Moreover, addition of IL-6 partially abolished the sensitization response of PPI. Furthermore, co-treatment of erlotinib and PPI completed abrogation of tumor growth in xenografts, which was associated with EMT reversal. In conclusion, PPI serves as a novel solution to conquer the EGFR-TKI resistance of NSCLC via reversing EMT by modulating IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. Combined PPI and erlotinib treatment provides a promising future for lung cancer patients to strengthen drug response and prolong survival.
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