Propionate reinforces epithelial identity and reduces aggressiveness of lung carcinoma

ABSTRACT: The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a central role in the development of cancer metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. However, its pharmacological treatment remains challenging. Here, we used an EMT-focused integrative functional genomic approach and identified an inverse association between short-chain fatty acids (propionate and butanoate) and EMT in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Remarkably, treatment with propionate in vitro reinforced the epithelial transcriptional program promoting cell-to-cell contact and cell adhesion, while reducing the aggressive and chemo-resistant EMT phenotype in lung cancer cell lines. Propionate treatment also decreased the metastatic potential and limited lymph node spread in both nude mice and a genetic NSCLC mouse model

SUBMITTER: Dr. Vignesh Ramesh 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_15252-EMMM_202317836 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other