naphthoquinones and Carcinoma--Large-Cell

Large cell lung cancer (LCLC) patients have a poor prognosis because their tumors are highly malignant and show resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Plumbagin has anticancer activity toward several tumor types, but its effects on LCLC are unknown. This study investigated the effects of plumbagin on human L9981 and NL9980 large cell lung cancer cells and the mechanisms underlying its action.. After the introduction of exogenous IL-6, the mRNA expression of signaling genes and downstream genes was significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, plumbagin significantly inhibited the expression of the above mentioned genes in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The mRNA expression levels of downstream genes were correlated with those of signaling genes.. Plumbagin was found to significantly inhibit the proliferation and invasion of L9981 and NL9980 cells, and may be an effective therapy for LCLC through targeting the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Carcinoma, Large Cell; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Humans; Interleukin-6; Lung Neoplasms; Naphthoquinones; Phosphorylation; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor