Lunasin: a promising peptide for the prevention and therapy of colorectal cancer

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with colorectal cancer among the most common types. Understanding the mechanisms behind tumor development and finding effective treatments are vital to improving patient outcomes. Recent research has highlighted the role of cancer-like stem cells (CSCs) in tumor pathogenesis, indicating that targeting these cells could be crucial in cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Lunosin, a bioactive peptide derived from soybeans and other plant sources, has shown potential to protect against cancer and other chronic diseases. This article reviews a study focusing on the cytotoxic effect of the lunasin peptide on HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells, including both the bulk tumor and CSC subpopulations.

The role of cancer stem cells in tumor pathogenesis

Cancer-like stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cells within a tumor that possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. These cells are believed to play a crucial role in tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis, as well as resistance to conventional cancer therapies. Targeting CSCs has become a priority in cancer research because of their potential to drive tumor recurrence and metastasis, even after initial treatments appear successful.

Lunasin: a natural peptide with anti-cancer properties

Lanasin is a naturally occurring bioactive peptide found in soybeans and other plant sources, such as barley and wheat. It has drawn attention in recent years for its potential health benefits, including its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Lunasin has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various types of cancer cells, suggesting that it may serve as a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Effects of lunasin on HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells

The study aimed to explore the cytotoxic effect of lunasin on HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells, including tumor mass and CSC subpopulations. The key findings of the study are as follows:

1. Inhibition of proliferation and formation of the tumorosphere

Launasin was found to inhibit the proliferation of HCT-116 cells, as well as their ability to form the tumorosphere. This suggests that lunasin can effectively target both parental cancer cells and the CSC subpopulation, preventing tumor growth and progression.

2. Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest

Flow cytometry results demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of lunasin were related to the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Furthermore, an increase in the sub-G0/G1 phase of bulk tumor cells was observed, which was related to apoptotic events.

3. Activation of apoptotic pathways

Immunoblotting analysis revealed that lunasin induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, essential proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis.

4. Modulation of cell cycle progress

Lanosine was found to modulate cell cycle progress via the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. This protein plays a vital role in the control of cell cycle progression, further supporting lunasin's potential as a chemopreventive agent.

Frequent questions

Q: What are cancer-like stem cells (CSCs)?

A: CSCs are a small subset of cells within a tumor that possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. They play a crucial role in tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis, as well as in resistance to conventional cancer therapies.

Q: What is lunasin?

A: Lunasin is a naturally occurring bioactive peptide found in soybeans and other plant sources, such as barley and wheat. It has drawn attention for its potential health benefits, including its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Lunasin has been found to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in various types of cancer cells, suggesting that it may serve as a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

P: How does lunasin affect HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells?

A: In the study, lunasin demonstrated several effects on HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells, including:

1. Inhibition of cell proliferation and formation of the tumorosphere.
2. Induction of apoptosis and arrest of the cell cycle in the G1 phase.
3. Activation of apoptotic pathways through caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage.
4. Modulation of cell cycle progress via cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21.

These findings suggest that lunasin can effectively target both parental cancer cells and the CSC subpopulation, preventing tumor growth and progression.

P: How does lunasin induce apoptosis in cancer cells?

A: Lunasin induces apoptosis in cancer cells by activating caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, essential proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis. This activation triggers a series of events that ultimately lead to cell death, reducing tumor growth and progression.

Q: Can lunasin be used as a chemopreventive agent?

A: Based on the study findings, lunasin shows promise as a chemopreventive agent for colorectal cancer. By targeting both the parental-derived HCT-116 cell subsets and the tumor sphere, lunasin can inhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosis, and modulate cell cycle progress, making it a potential candidate for biopsy. cancer prevention and therapy.

Conclusion

The involvement of cancer-like stem cells (CSCs) in tumor pathogenesis has profound implications for cancer therapy and chemoprevention. Lunasin, a bioactive peptide from soybean and other plant sources, shows potential as a chemopreventive agent by targeting both parental and tumor sphere-derived subsets of colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells. The study findings suggest that lunasin inhibits cell proliferation, induces apoptosis, and modulates cell cycle progress, providing new evidence for its potential use in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore potential applications of lunasin in other cancer types and clinical settings.