β-Elemene enhances the efficacy of gefitinib on glioblastoma multiforme cells through the inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Lin Mu
    • Tianjiao Wang
    • Yanwei Chen
    • Xinqiang Tang
    • Yuhui Yuan
    • Yongshun Zhao
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 21, 2016     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2016.3626
  • Pages: 1427-1436
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Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and severe form of primary tumor in the central nervous system of adults which has poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, such as gefitinib (brand name Iressa, ZD1839), has been approved as a targeted medicine for several types of tumor including glioblastoma multiforme. However, gefitinib exerted very limited effects on some glioblastoma multiforme patients after a period of treatment due to intrinsic and acquired drug resistance. β-Elemene, a natural plant drug extracted from Curcuma wenyujin, has shown promising anticancer effects against a broad spectrum of tumors. In the present study, we found that β-elemene could enhance the chemosensitivity of glioblastoma multiforme cells to gefitinib. The combination medication of β-elemene and gefitinib not only inhibited the survival and proliferation of glioblastoma multiforme cells via inhibition of EGFR signaling pathway but also induced more distinct apoptosis and autophagy in the glioblastoma multiforme cells than the gefitinib monotherapy. These results showed that β-elemene might be one potential adjuvant to enhance the effect of EGFR inhibitor and reduce the resistance of gefitinib in glioblastoma multiforme.
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October-2016
Volume 49 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Mu L, Wang T, Chen Y, Tang X, Yuan Y and Zhao Y: β-Elemene enhances the efficacy of gefitinib on glioblastoma multiforme cells through the inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway. Int J Oncol 49: 1427-1436, 2016
APA
Mu, L., Wang, T., Chen, Y., Tang, X., Yuan, Y., & Zhao, Y. (2016). β-Elemene enhances the efficacy of gefitinib on glioblastoma multiforme cells through the inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway. International Journal of Oncology, 49, 1427-1436. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2016.3626
MLA
Mu, L., Wang, T., Chen, Y., Tang, X., Yuan, Y., Zhao, Y."β-Elemene enhances the efficacy of gefitinib on glioblastoma multiforme cells through the inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway". International Journal of Oncology 49.4 (2016): 1427-1436.
Chicago
Mu, L., Wang, T., Chen, Y., Tang, X., Yuan, Y., Zhao, Y."β-Elemene enhances the efficacy of gefitinib on glioblastoma multiforme cells through the inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway". International Journal of Oncology 49, no. 4 (2016): 1427-1436. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2016.3626