MiR-320a upregulation contributes to the effectiveness of pemetrexed by inhibiting the growth and invasion of human lung cancer cell line (Calu-6).

Abstract

Lung cancer is a common and deadly disease. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment, which inhibits cancer cell growth. Pemetrexed (PMX) is often used with other drugs. Environmental stress can affect regulatory non-coding RNAs such as MicroRNAs that modify gene expression. This study investigates the effect of PMX on the hsa-miR-320a-3p expression in the Calu-6 lung cancer cell line. Calu-6 cells were cultured in an incubator with 37°C, 5% CO2, and 98% humidity. The MTT test was performed to determine the concentration of PMX required to inhibit 50% of cell growth. To examine growth inhibition and apoptosis, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cell assays and caspase 3 and 7 enzyme activity were used. Finally, molecular studies were conducted to compare the expression of hsa-miR-320a-3p and genes including VDAC1, DHFR, STAT3, BAX and BCL2 before and after therapy. According to a study, it has been observed that PMX therapy significantly increases LDH release after 24h. The study found that PMX's IC50 on Calu-6 is 8.870µM. In addition, the treated sample showed higher expression of hsa-miR-320a-3p and BAX, while the expression of VDAC1, STAT3, DHFR and BCL2 decreased compared to the control sample. According to the findings of the current research, hsa-miR-320a-3p seems to have the potential to play an important role in the development of novel approaches to the treatment of lung cancer.