Lupeol suppresses cisplatin-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and inhibits local invasion and nodal metastasis in an orthotopic nude mouse model.
A poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients is commonly associated with the presence of regional metastasis. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy concurrent with radiation therapy is commonly used in the treatment of locally advanced HNSCC. However, the result is dismal due to common acquisition of chemoresistance and radioresistance. Epidemiologic studies have shown the importance of dietary substances in the prevention of HNSCC. Here, we found that lupeol, a triterpene found in fruits and vegetables, selectively induced substantial HNSCC cell death but exhibited only a minimal effect on a normal tongue fibroblast cell line in vitro. Down-regulation of NF-kappaB was identified as the major mechanism of the anticancer properties of lupeol against HNSCC. Lupeol alone was not only found to suppress tumor growth but also to impair HNSCC cell invasion by reversal of the NF-kappaB-dependent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Lupeol exerted a synergistic effect with cisplatin, resulting in chemosensitization of HNSCC cell lines with high NF-kappaB activity in vitro. In in vivo studies, using an orthotopic metastatic nude mouse model of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma, lupeol at a dose of 2 mg/animal dramatically decreased tumor volume and suppressed local metastasis, which was more effective than cisplatin alone. Lupeol exerted a significant synergistic cytotoxic effect when combined with low-dose cisplatin without side effects. Our results suggest that lupeol may be an effective agent either alone or in combination for treatment of advanced tumors.
Lee
Terence K
TK
Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Poon
Ronnie T P
RT
Wo
Jana Y
JY
Ma
Stephanie
S
Guan
Xin-Yuan
XY
Myers
Jeffrey N
JN
Altevogt
Peter
P
Yuen
Anthony P W
AP
D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D051550:I-kappa B Kinase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014162:Transfection; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; D000094042:Lupanes
D002945:Cisplatin; D051550:I-kappa B Kinase; D016328:NF-kappa B; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D014315:Triterpenes; C010480:lupeol; D000094042:Lupanes