Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P05231 (interleukin-6)
 23,907 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) controls gene expression of a number of genes, including cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, and interleukin-8 (IL-8). IL-6 is known to play important roles in the growth of prostate cancer cells, activation of androgen receptor, and prostate-specific protein expression. NF-kappaB is activated by extracellular signals such as proinflammatory cytokines, chemotherapeutic reagents, and radiation. Here we demonstrate that cisplatin (CDDP) and etoposide (VP-16) induce nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB in prostate cancer cell lines, followed by secretion of IL-6. We also demonstrated that the growth of hormone-independent prostate cancer cell lines can be inhibited by the anti-NF-kappaB reagent N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). These observations indicate that NF-kappaB can be a target of new adjuvant therapy against hormone refractory prostate cancer.
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PMID:N-acetyl-L-cysteine enhances chemotherapeutic effect on prostate cancer cells. 1194 26

Understanding the mechanism by which hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) develops remains a major issue. Alterations in HRPC include androgen receptor (AR) changes. In addition, the AR is activated by cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). Atypical protein kinase C (aPKClambda/iota) has been implicated in the progression of several cancers. Herein, we provide evidence that aPKClambda/iota expression correlates with prostate cancer recurrence. Experiments in vitro and in vivo revealed aPKClambda/iota to be involved in prostate cancer cell growth through secretion of IL-6. Further, aPKClambda/iota activates transcription of the IL-6 gene through NFkappaB and AP-1. We conclude that aPKClambda/iota promotes the growth of hormone independent prostate cancer cells by stimulating IL-6 production in an autocrine manner. Our findings not only explain the link between aPKClambda/iota and IL-6, implicated in the progression a variety of cancers, but also establish a molecular change involved in the development of HRPC. Further, aPKClambda/iota expression might be a biomarker for prostate cancer progression.
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PMID:aPKClambda/iota promotes growth of prostate cancer cells in an autocrine manner through transcriptional activation of interleukin-6. 1980 6

Zerumbone, a phytochemical isolated from Zingiber zerumbet has been shown previously to exhibit antineoplastic activity. But, the effect of zerumbone in prostate cancer has not been evaluated. Prostate cancer is frequently associated with elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which exerts its oncogenic effects through activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) followed by activation of the transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). Here, we investigated whether the anticancer effects of zerumbone are mediated through inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and whether zerumbone can increase the paclitaxel (PTX) sensitivity of prostate cancer cells. Zerumbone exerted significant cytotoxicity of DU145 versus PC3 prostate cancer cells through cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase followed by apoptosis. Zerumbone selectively inhibited JAK2 in both DU145 and PC3 cells. However, the biological axis of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 was inhibited only in DU145 cells as no STAT3 phosphorylation was detected in PC3 cells even after IL-6 stimulation. Other signaling pathways in DU145 cells remained unaffected. The expression of prostate cancer-associated genes, including cyclin D1, IL-6, COX2, and ETV1, was blocked. Zerumbone also synergistically increased the sensitivity to PTX. Further preclinical study might reveal the potential use of zerumbone as a chemotherapeutic agent for hormone refractory prostate cancer where IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling is aberrantly active and may be combined with PTX.
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PMID:Zerumbone inhibits growth of hormone refractory prostate cancer cells by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway and increases paclitaxel sensitivity. 2524 57