Inhibition of Stat3 activity by YC-1 enhances chemo-sensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer Biol Ther. 2007 Dec;6(12):1900-7. doi: 10.4161/cbt.6.12.4970. Epub 2007 Sep 1.

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of YC-1, a novel anti-cancer agent, on the chemo-sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). YC-1 was administered with chemo-cytotoxic drug, cisplatin, both in vitro and in vivo. YC-1 alone downregulated the expression of phosphorylated form of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (P-Stat3[705]), a key mediator in chemo-resistance. When combined with cisplatin, YC-1 further promoted tumor cell apoptosis, decreased the expression of P-Stat3(705), Bcl-xL, CyclinD1 and survivin, and induced the cleavage of caspase 9 and PARP. Overexpression of Stat3 reversed YC-1 induced cell death. YC-1 inhibited Stat3 activity by enhancing the polyubiquitination of P-Stat3(705) induced by cisplatin. In the in vivo setting, YC-1 combined with cisplatin remarkably suppressed tumor growth in a HCC xenograft model, and this effect was also accompanied by YC-1 mediated downregulation of P-Stat3(705), Bcl-xL, Cyclin D1 and survivin, and induction of cleaved caspase 9 and PARP in the tumor tissues. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated a novel anti-cancer effect of YC-1 in enhancing chemo-sensitivity of HCC cells to cisplatin through a Stat3 dependent manner. This finding provides insight into design of a new therapeutic strategy to improve efficacy of chemotherapy in HCC patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Caspase 9 / biosynthesis
  • Caspase 9 / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor / metabolism
  • Cisplatin / pharmacology*
  • Cyclin D
  • Cyclins / biosynthesis
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Indazoles / pharmacology*
  • Indazoles / therapeutic use
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / biosynthesis
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / genetics
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Survivin
  • Ubiquitination / drug effects
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
  • bcl-X Protein / biosynthesis
  • bcl-X Protein / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BCL2L1 protein, human
  • BIRC5 protein, human
  • Cyclin D
  • Cyclins
  • Indazoles
  • Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • STAT3 protein, human
  • Survivin
  • bcl-X Protein
  • 3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole
  • PARP1 protein, human
  • Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • CASP9 protein, human
  • Caspase 9
  • Cisplatin