RESEARCH
Irisin enhances 5-fluorouracil effectiveness in colon cancer cells — International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research
Human HT-29 CRC cells were treated for 12 hours with irisin (2, 20, and 200 ng/mL) alone or combined with 5-FU (50 μM). Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Expression of cell cycle regulators (CCND1, CCND3, p21, and p27), apoptotic markers (BCL2, Bcl-2-associated X protein, cytochrome c, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3), and metabolic mediators (protein kinase B [Akt], mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR], adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) were assessed.
What this means
While this is early-stage cell culture research, it adds to evidence linking physical activity to improved cancer treatment outcomes and may eventually lead to new combination therapies.