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Cancer Cell International
Published in: Cancer Cell International 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Thyroid Cancer | Primary research

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits the growth and increases the apoptosis of human thyroid carcinoma cells through suppression of EGFR/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway

Authors: Dongdong Wu, Zhengguo Liu, Jianmei Li, Qianqian Zhang, Peiyu Zhong, Tieshan Teng, Mingliang Chen, Zhongwen Xie, Ailing Ji, Yanzhang Li

Published in: Cancer Cell International | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Thyroid cancer is the most common type of endocrine malignancy and the incidence rate is rapidly increasing worldwide. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could suppress cancer growth and induce apoptosis in many types of cancer cells. However, the mechanism of action of EGCG on the growth of human thyroid carcinoma cells has not been fully illuminated.

Methods

Cell proliferation and viability were detected by EdU and MTS assays. Cell cycle distribution was measured by flow cytometry. Migration and invasion were evaluated by scratch and transwell assays. Apoptotic levels were detected by TUNEL staining and western blotting. The protein levels of EGFR/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway were detected by western blotting. The in vivo results were determined by tumor xenografts in nude mice. The in vivo proliferation, tumor microvessel density, and apoptosis were detected by immunohistochemistry.

Results

EGCG inhibited the proliferation, viability, and cell cycle progression in human thyroid carcinoma cells. EGCG decreased the migration and invasion, but increased the apoptosis of human thyroid carcinoma cells. EGCG reduced the protein levels of phospho (p)-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), H-RAS, p-RAF, p-MEK1/2, and p-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in human thyroid carcinoma cells. EGCG inhibited the growth of human thyroid carcinoma xenografts by inducing apoptosis and down-regulating angiogenesis.

Conclusions

EGCG could reduce the growth and increase the apoptosis of human thyroid carcinoma cells through suppressing the EGFR/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway. EGCG can be developed as an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of thyroid cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits the growth and increases the apoptosis of human thyroid carcinoma cells through suppression of EGFR/RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway
Authors
Dongdong Wu
Zhengguo Liu
Jianmei Li
Qianqian Zhang
Peiyu Zhong
Tieshan Teng
Mingliang Chen
Zhongwen Xie
Ailing Ji
Yanzhang Li
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cancer Cell International / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2867
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12935-019-0762-9

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