Cinchonine-induced cell death in pancreatic cancer cells by downregulating RRP15

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by poor prognosis and high mortality, while its treatment remains unsatisfactory. Cinchonine, a natural compound present in cinchona bark, is a potential anticancer drug. Whether cinchonine is of relevance to pancreatic cancer therapeutics is unclear. This research showed that the ribosomal RNA-processing 15 homolog (RRP15) expression is decreased in the pancreatic cancer, and RRP15 knockdown inhibited autophagy, and caused apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. Cinchonine treatment inhibits the expression of RRP15 and autophagy, and caused apoptosis by leading to the activation of Nrf2 axis in pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, the above results indicate that cinchonine treatment inhibited autophagy and induced apoptosis through activating Nrf2 axis by downregulating RRP15 in pancreatic cancer cells.

Automated summary

This research suggests that cinchonine, a natural compound from cinchona bark, could be a potential anticancer drug for pancreatic cancer. It inhibits the expression of RRP15, leading to the inhibition of autophagy and induction of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. The activation of the Nrf2 axis is involved in this process.