Oridonin inhibits gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells by suppressing EGFR/ERK/MMP-12 and CIP2A/Akt signaling pathways

Int J Oncol. 2016 Jun;48(6):2608-18. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3488. Epub 2016 Apr 15.

Abstract

Oridonin (Ori), a diterpenoid compound extracted from traditional medicinal herbs, elicits antitumor effects on many cancer types. However, whether Ori can be used in gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells remains unclear. This study investigated the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of Ori. Results demonstrated that this compound dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of the gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells in vitro. Ori also significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, Akt, expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12), and the cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A). In addition, Ori upregulated protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Ori combined with docetaxel synergistically inhibited these cells. Ori also inhibited tumor growth in murine models. Immunohistochemistry results further revealed that Ori downregulated phospho-EGFR, MMP-12, and CIP2A in vivo. These findings indicated that Ori can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells by suppressing EGFR/ERK/MMP-12 and CIP2A/PP2A/Akt signaling pathways. Thus, Ori may be a novel effective candidate to treat gefitinib-resistant NSCLC.

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Autoantigens / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane / administration & dosage*
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Gefitinib
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 12 / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Quinazolines / administration & dosage*
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • CIP2A protein, human
  • Diterpenes, Kaurane
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Quinazolines
  • oridonin
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • MMP12 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 12
  • Gefitinib