The Role of Hyperthermia in Enhancing Anti-tumor Efficacy of Pemetrexed and Altering hsa-MiR-548c-3p Expression Profile in A549 Cell Line (Human Lung Cancer)

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with current treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy facing limitations, including severe side effects and high costs. Hyperthermia (H) has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance tumor sensitivity to treatments and reduce toxicity. This study investigates the effects of H in enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy of pemetrexed (PEM) and altering the expression profile of hsa-MiR-548c-3p (tumor suppressor) in the A549 cell line.

A549 cells were cultured in DMEM medium and divided into four groups: Control, and treatment with H, PEM, and a combination of H and PEM. Subsequently, cell viability, apoptosis percentage, release rate of LDH, production of ROS, and the expression level of hsa-MiR-548c-3p, CASP 8 and 9, and TYMS genes were measured.

Results revealed that the combination of H and PEM treatment had greater antitumor effects compared to the other groups. The combination of H and PEM significantly reduced cell viability, increased the percentage of apoptosis, LDH release, and ROS production, and upregulated hsa-MiR-548c-3p, CASP 8, and 9, while downregulating TYMS.

The findings suggest that H enhances the chemotherapeutic efficacy of PEM by upregulating hsa-MiR-548c-3p expression and promoting apoptosis in lung cancer cells, making it a promising complementary approach for overcoming drug resistance.