Norcantharidin suppresses cell growth and migration with enhanced anticancer activity of gefitinib and cisplatin in human non-small cell lung cancer cells

Oncol Rep. 2013 Jan;29(1):237-43. doi: 10.3892/or.2012.2118. Epub 2012 Oct 31.

Abstract

Norcantharidin is the demethylated analog of cantharidin isolated from blister beetles (Mylabris phalerata Pall.). In this study, we evaluated whether norcantharidin exhibits anticancer effects against the human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines A549 (epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-negative) and PC9 (EGFR mutation-positive). Our results revealed that norcantharidin dose-dependently retards cell growth, arrests cell cycle at G2/M phase, reduces cell migration, and even induces apoptosis at the concentration of 100 µM. Moreover, we found that norcantharidin enhances the anticancer effects of gefitinib and cisplatin. Norcantharidin exhibited similar potency of anticancer effects against the two cell lines with different EGFR mutation status and did not affect EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation, suggesting that the EGFR signaling may not be the target of norcantharidin. In conclusion, our results suggest that norcantharidin exhibits anticancer effects against non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro and support its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for treating non-small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gefitinib
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Quinazolines / administration & dosage
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Quinazolines
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • norcantharidin
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cisplatin
  • Gefitinib