Abstract |
Metastatic pancreatic cancer remains a major clinical challenge, emphasizing the urgent need for the exploitation of novel therapeutic approaches with superior response. In this study, we demonstrate that the aberrant activation of prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) receptor 4 (EP4) is a pro-metastatic signal in pancreatic cancer. To explore the therapeutic role of EP4 signaling, we developed a potent and selective EP4 antagonist L001 with single-nanomolar activity using a panel of cell functional assays. EP4 antagonism by L001 effectively repressed PGE2-elicited cell migration and the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Importantly, L001 alone or combined with the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine exhibited remarkably anti- metastasis activity in a pancreatic cancer hepatic metastasis model with excellent tolerability and safety. Mechanistically, EP4 blockade by L001 abrogated Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP)-driven pro-metastatic factor expression in pancreatic cancer cells. The suppression of YAP's activity was also observed upon L001 treatment in vivo. Together, these findings support the notions that EP4-YAP signaling axis is a vital pro-metastatic pathway in pancreatic cancer and that EP4 inhibition with L001 may deliver a therapeutic benefit for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer.
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Authors | Jiacheng He, Xianhua Lin, Fanhui Meng, Yumiao Zhao, Wei Wang, Yao Zhang, Xiaolei Chai, Ying Zhang, Weiwei Yu, Junjie Yang, Guichao Li, Xuekui Du, Hankun Zhang, Mingyao Liu, Weiqiang Lu |
Journal | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
(Molecules)
Vol. 27
Issue 4
(Feb 11 2022)
ISSN: 1420-3049 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 35208999
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
- Dinoprostone
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Topics |
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents
(chemistry, pharmacology)
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cell Movement
(drug effects)
- Dinoprostone
(metabolism, pharmacology)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Hippo Signaling Pathway
(drug effects)
- Humans
- Mice
- Models, Biological
- Molecular Structure
- Neoplasm Metastasis
- Pancreatic Neoplasms
(drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
- Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
(antagonists & inhibitors, chemistry)
- Signal Transduction
(drug effects)
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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