Transcriptional Regulation of the Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell Markers, Nanog and Oct4, Induced by a Thermodynamic-Based Therapy Approach

Zakieh  Ghorbani; Mansour  Heidari; Mojtaba  Jafarinia; Mahdi  Rohani; Abolfazl  Akbari

doi:10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12458

Zakieh Ghorbani Department of Molecular Genetics, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
Mansour Heidari Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mojtaba Jafarinia Department of Molecular Genetics, Fars Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran
Mahdi Rohani Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Abolfazl Akbari Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i4.12458

Keywords: Colorectal cancer stem cell; Nanog; Hyperthermia; Photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Background: Cancer stem cells (CSC), as responsible issues to cancer development and progression, play a crucial role in tumorigenesis, recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Both hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be effective for cancer treatment, particularly when combined with other therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hyperthermia combined with PDT on colorectal CSC and the gene expression of the CSC markers, presenting a more effective approach for cancer therapy.

Methods: The study was conducted in the Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran in 2018. We evaluated the anticancer role of hyperthermia, Gold nanoparticles coated with curcumin (Cur-GNPs) in PDT and combination of the two approaches on cell viability and the expression of CSC markers, Nanog and Oct4 in colorectal cancer cell line HT-29. The cytotoxicity effect of Cur-GNPs against the cells was assessed in vitro. The cell viability was assessed using MTT assay, and the expression analysis of the CSC genes was evaluated using a q-real-time PCR.

Results: Cell viability was decreased by PDT (P=0.015) and the combination therapy (P=0.006) but not by hyperthermia alone (P=0.4), compared to control. Also, the expression of CSC markers, Nanog and Oct4 was shown to significantly down-regulate in all hyperthermia, PDT and combination groups.

Conclusion: Hyperthermia combined with PDT was indicated to be more efficient in eliminating tumors than hyperthermia or PDT alone.