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Encorafenib inhibits migration, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells

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Abstract

Encorafenib, a new-generation BRAF inhibitor, has been approved by FDA for the treatment of melanoma in combination with binimetinib. However, the mechanism of the drug works in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. In this study, the suppression of growth of CRC cells by encorafenib was investigated. The effects of treatment of encorafenib on pathways linked to cancer were studied, and the effective inhibition of cell proliferation was documented. Our findings showed that cell migration was inhibited by encorafenib through a likely involvement of MPP and TIMP modulation. Furthermore, encorafenib treatment also induced cell cycle arrest. In addition, induction of apoptosis in CRC cells by elevating levels of PUMA. These observations indicate the potential therapeutic efficacy of encorafenib on CRC.

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Author notes

  1. Jiangning Li and Xiaofeng Li have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Shenyang, 67 Qingquan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110041, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    Jiangning Li

  2. Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Liaoning Blood Center, Shenyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaofeng Li

  3. Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Blood Safety Research, Shenyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China

    Xiaofeng Li

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  1. Jiangning Li
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  2. Xiaofeng Li
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Correspondence to Jiangning Li.

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Li, J., Li, X. Encorafenib inhibits migration, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Mol Cell Biochem 459, 113–120 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-019-03554-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-019-03554-3

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