The inhibition of growth and metastasis of human pancreatic ductaladenocarcinoma by MART-10

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated that MART-10, an analog to the active form of vitamin D3, has anti-cancer properties inanaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). It can inhibit ATC’s metastasis by altering cadherin protein expression and preventingthe EMT process. This study aims to investigate the effect of MART-10 in a different system, pancreatic ductaladenocarcinoma (PDAC), in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Methods: The study will use two known PDAC celllines. The cells will be treated with increasing MART-10 for various durations. In vitro metastasis will be measuredby trans-well migration and Matrigel invasion assay, in vitro proliferation will be measured by CCK-8 assay, and theinteraction between MART-10 and PDAC will be investigated with Western blot. Mice will be injected with tumorcells and treated with increasing MART-10; in vivo tumor growth and metastasis will be recorded weekly. The positivecontrol for the experiments is ADH-1 (Exherin), and the negative control is PBS in DMSO. Possible results: Thereare three main possible results: (1) MART-10 inhibits the growth and metastasis of PDAC cells; (2) MART-10 acts asa stimulant for PDAC growth and metastasis; (3) MART-10 has no significant effect on the growth and metastasis ofPDAC. Conclusion: The result of the study will provide important insight into the preclinical effectiveness of MART10 in PDAC; it also sets the basis for future clinical studies of the drug. Future studies should investigate the mechanismunderlying MART-10’s effectiveness in PDAC or search for drug combinations with MART-10 that synergize thedisease.