Volume 63, Issue 11 pp. 2090-2102
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The anthraquinone derivative KA-4s reduces energy metabolism and enhances the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin

Yingdan Zhao

Yingdan Zhao

Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Xinxiao Li

Xinxiao Li

Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Shumei Xu

Shumei Xu

Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Yingying Yang

Yingying Yang

Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Qiangjian Chen

Qiangjian Chen

Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Junying Li

Junying Li

Global Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Department, Shanghai Wotai Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Kunming, China

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Wei Tian

Wei Tian

College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Qiuping Zhang

Qiuping Zhang

College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

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Huaxin Hou

Corresponding Author

Huaxin Hou

College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

Correspondence Huaxin Hou, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Rd, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Email: [email protected]

Danrong Li, Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Rd, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Email: [email protected]

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Danrong Li

Corresponding Author

Danrong Li

Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China

Correspondence Huaxin Hou, College of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Rd, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Email: [email protected]

Danrong Li, Life Sciences Institute, Guangxi Medical University, No. 22 Shuangyong Rd, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 02 August 2024
Citations: 1

Yingdan Zhao and Xinxiao Li shared their first authorship.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from female gynecological cancers. Cisplatin (DDP) is a first-line drug for ovarian cancer treatment. Due to DDP resistance, there is an urgent need for novel therapeutic drugs with improved antitumor activity. AMPK-mediated metabolic regulatory pathways are related to tumor drug resistance. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between reversing DDP resistance with the anthraquinone derivative KA-4s and regulating AMPK energy metabolism in ovarian cancer. The results showed that KA-4s inhibited the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. The combination of KA-4s with DDP effectively promoted drug-resistant ovarian cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration and invasion. Moreover, KA-4s decreased the intracellular ATP level and increased the calcium ion level, leading to AMPK phosphorylation. Further studies suggested that the AMPK signaling pathway may be involved in the mechanism through which KA-4s reduce drug resistance. KA-4s inhibited mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis; downregulated the glucose metabolism-related proteins GLUT1 and GLUT4; the lipid metabolism-related proteins SREBP1 and SCD1; and the drug resistance-related proteins P-gp, MRP1, and LRP. The inhibitory effect of KA-4s on GLUT1 was confirmed by the application of the GLUT1 inhibitor BAY-876. KA-4s combined with DDP significantly increased the expression of p-AMPK and reduced the expression of P-gp. In a xenograft model of ovarian cancer, treatment with KA-4s combined with DDP reduced energy metabolism and drug resistance, inducing tumor apoptosis. Consequently, KA-4s might be evaluated as a new agent for enhancing the chemotherapeutic efficacy of treatment for ovarian cancer.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

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