Inhibition of autophagy promotes ultrasound‑targeted microbubble destruction-induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: In therapeutic studies of pancreatic cancer, ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has shown potential in promoting apoptosis as a safe and non-invasive adjuvant therapy. Autophagy, a regulatory mechanism for cellular stress response and survival, plays a dual role in tumor development, progression, and treatment. However, the role of autophagy in UTMD-induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells remains unclear. In this study, chloroquine (CQ), an autophagy inhibitor, was combined with UTMD to treat pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo, with changes in apoptosis assessed through Western blot and TUNEL staining. The results showed that UTMD induced both apoptosis and autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. Notably, inhibiting autophagy significantly enhanced

SUBMITTER: Chen N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11905268 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature