Abstract
Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose early and has high rates of relapse and mortality. Therefore, the treatment of ovarian cancer needs to be improved. Recently, several studies have been conducted in an attempt to develop anticancer drugs from naturally derived ingredients. Compared to traditional chemotherapy, natural compounds can overcome drug resistance with lower side effects. Fucosterol, a phytosterol present in brown algae, reportedly possesses many bioactive effects, including anticancer properties. However, the anticancer effects of fucosterol in ovarian cancer remain unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the effects of fucosterol on progression in human ovarian cancer cells. Fucosterol inhibited cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression in ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, fucosterol regulated the proliferation-related signaling pathways, the production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial function, endoplasmic reticulum stress, angiogenesis, and calcium homeostasis. Moreover, it decreased tumor formation in a zebrafish xenograft model. These results indicate that fucosterol could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in ovarian cancer.
Highlights
Ovarian cancer, a gynecological malignancy, has a high mortality rate [1]
proliferating-cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a well-known representative ovarian cancer marker, was decreased in the nuclei of fucosterol-treated ES2 and OV90 cells compared to vehicle treatment, respectively (Figure 1C,D)
The late apoptotic cells were increased in response to fucosterol (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 μM), as assessed by flow cytometry performed in cells stained with annexin V and propidium iodide (PI) solution
Summary
A gynecological malignancy, has a high mortality rate [1]. Among patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 51% are diagnosed at Stage III and 29% at Stage IV [2]. Despite treatment with a combination of improved surgery, supportive care, and chemotherapeutic drugs, tumors consistently relapse. In 1996, combination therapy with paclitaxel and cisplatin was introduced as a standard treatment in ovarian cancer patients [4]. The mortality rate for ovarian cancer is still high, and the average five-year survival rate for women with advanced ovarian cancer is lower than 50% [5]. Trials evaluating biological agents in combination with primary chemotherapeutic agents, as well as in maintenance after the completion of chemotherapy are required
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