Juglone can inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cells by targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the effects of juglone on angiogenesis, metastasis and cell proliferation processes in pancreatic cancer  (PC)  and to understand whether its possible effects occur via the Wnt signaling pathway by analyzing the expression levels of target genes of Wnt signaling.

BACKGROUND

PC is a silent and lethal cancer type which can only be detectable after metastasis and angiogenesis processes occured. The Wnt signaling pathway is one of the pathways that plays an active role in many biological processes in the cell. Mutations in the genes of this signaling pathway are related to the development of many cancers. Juglone, a natural compound, is shown to have cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on various cancer cells.

METHODS

PANC-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with juglone at <IC50 doses (5, 10, 15, and 20 μM) for 24 h. Expression levels of MMP7, VEGF, TCF7L2, CCND1 genes were determined by RT-PCR. Cell migration evaluation after juglone treatments were done by a wound-healing assay.

RESULTS

Juglone seems to be able to inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis by affecting the activity of Wnt signaling target genes in human PC cell lines.

CONCLUSION

Juglone has a promising potential to develop new strategies for the treatment of PC (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 35).