Combination of 5-fluorouracil and thymoquinone targets stem cell gene signature in colorectal cancer cells.

ABSTRACT: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) residing in colorectal cancer tissues have tumorigenic capacity and contribute to chemotherapeutic resistance and disease relapse. It is well known that the survival of colorectal CSCs after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based therapy leads to cancer recurrence. Thus CSCs represent a promising drug target. Here, we designed and synthesized novel hybrid molecules linking 5-FU with the plant-derived compound thymoquinone (TQ) and tested the potential of individual compounds and their combination to eliminate colorectal CSCs. Both, Combi and SARB hybrid showed augmented cytotoxicity against colorectal cancer cells, but were non-toxic to organoids prepared from healthy murine small intestine. NanoString analysis revealed a unique signature of deregulated gene expression in res

SUBMITTER: Ndreshkjana B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6522523 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature