biostudies-literatureUnknown20(5)Qu JThe development of an effective therapeutic intervention for liver cancer is a worldwide challenge that remains to be adequately addressed. Of note, <i>TP53</i>, which encodes the p53 protein, is an important tumor suppressor gene, 61% of <i>TP53</i> is functionally inactivated in liver cancer. Recombinant human adenovirus p53 (rAd-p53) is the first commercial product that has been used for gene therapy. In the present study, the combined mechanistic effects of rAd-p53 and curcumin, a naturally occurring compound with previously reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, were assessed in liver cancer cells, using HepG2 cells as the model cell line. The administration of either curcumin or rAd-p53 promoted apoptosis, suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and blocked G2/M phase progression in HepG2 cells, which were potentiated further when both agents were applied together. Combined rAd-p53 and curcumin treatment resulted in higher p53 (P<0.01) and p21 (P<0.01) expression compared with rAd-p53 or curcumin were added alone, suggesting an additive effect on <i>TP53</i> expression. Additionally, curcumin and rAd-p53 were demonstrated to regulate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK. These results indicated that the combination of rAd-p53 with curcumin synergistically potentiates apoptosis and inhibit EMT compared with either rAd-p53 or curcumin treatment alone via the regulation of <i>TP53</i> regulation. Mechanistically, this effect on <i>TP53</i> expression may involve the ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways. The current study provides new insights that can potentially advance the development of therapeutic strategies for liver cancer treatment.Experimental and therapeutic medicine18https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7471865biostudies-literatureCombined effect of recombinant human adenovirus p53 and curcumin in the treatment of liver cancer.PMC7471865Yang JLu WChen MQu JGao WZhang CGuo BfalseCombined effect of recombinant human adenovirus p53 and curcumin in the treatment of liver cancer.The development of an effective therapeutic intervention for liver cancer is a worldwide challenge that remains to be adequately addressed. Of note, <i>TP53</i>, which encodes the p53 protein, is an important tumor suppressor gene, 61% of <i>TP53</i> is functionally inactivated in liver cancer. Recombinant human adenovirus p53 (rAd-p53) is the first commercial product that has been used for gene therapy. In the present study, the combined mechanistic effects of rAd-p53 and curcumin, a naturally occurring compound with previously reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, were assessed in liver cancer cells, using HepG2 cells as the model cell line. The administration of either curcumin or rAd-p53 promoted apoptosis, suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and blocked G2/M phase progression in HepG2 cells, which were potentiated further when both agents were applied together. Combined rAd-p53 and curcumin treatment resulted in higher p53 (P<0.01) and p21 (P<0.01) expression compared with rAd-p53 or curcumin were added alone, suggesting an additive effect on <i>TP53</i> expression. Additionally, curcumin and rAd-p53 were demonstrated to regulate the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK. These results indicated that the combination of rAd-p53 with curcumin synergistically potentiates apoptosis and inhibit EMT compared with either rAd-p53 or curcumin treatment alone via the regulation of <i>TP53</i> regulation. Mechanistically, this effect on <i>TP53</i> expression may involve the ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways. The current study provides new insights that can potentially advance the development of therapeutic strategies for liver cancer treatment.2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Nov2024-12-04T12:18:35.233Z2020-09-26T07:13:39ZS-EPMC74718653293468310.3892/etm.2020.9145