Open Access

Aspirin increases the efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and reversing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition

  • Authors:
    • Hanyu Zhou
    • Xiao Yun
    • Yongqian Shu
    • Kequn Xu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 1, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2023.13687
  • Article Number: 101
  • Copyright: © Zhou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Gemcitabine is regarded as a standard medication for patients with pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of aspirin (ASA) on the efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer and the potential mechanism. The SW1990 and BxPC‑3 human pancreatic cell lines were treated with 2 mmol/l ASA and/or 1 mg/l gemcitabine. The effects of the treatments were tested on the viability, migration and invasion of the cells using MTT, wound healing and Transwell invasion assays. In addition, cell apoptosis was evaluated via flow cytometry with Annexin V‑FITC/PI and the western blotting of Bax and Bcl‑2. The expression of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT)‑associated proteins and activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway were also assessed using western blotting. The results reveal that ASA increased the efficacy of gemcitabine in reducing the proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells and increasing their apoptosis. These effects are associated with inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and the reversal of EMT. Thus, the combined use of ASA and gemcitabine is suggested to be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with pancreatic cancer.
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March-2023
Volume 25 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhou H, Yun X, Shu Y and Xu K: Aspirin increases the efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and reversing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition. Oncol Lett 25: 101, 2023
APA
Zhou, H., Yun, X., Shu, Y., & Xu, K. (2023). Aspirin increases the efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and reversing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition. Oncology Letters, 25, 101. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2023.13687
MLA
Zhou, H., Yun, X., Shu, Y., Xu, K."Aspirin increases the efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and reversing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition". Oncology Letters 25.3 (2023): 101.
Chicago
Zhou, H., Yun, X., Shu, Y., Xu, K."Aspirin increases the efficacy of gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and reversing epithelial‑mesenchymal transition". Oncology Letters 25, no. 3 (2023): 101. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2023.13687