Alloferon Affects the Chemosensitivity of Pancreatic Cancer by Regulating the Expression of SLC6A14

Pancreatic cancer (PCa), one of the most malignant solid tumors, has a high mortality rate. Although there have been many trials of chemotherapeutic drugs such as gemcitabine, the mortality rates remain significantly higher than for other types of cancer. Therefore, more effective ways of improving conventional therapy for PCa are needed. Cancer cells take up large amounts of glutamine to drive their rapid proliferation. Recent studies show that the amino acid transporter SLC6A14 is upregulated in some cancers alongside glutamine metabolism. Alloferon, a peptide isolated from the insect immune system, exerts anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects via its immunomodulatory function. In addition, it has anti-tumoral effects, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of alloferon on the PCa cell lines Panc-1 and AsPC-1. Exposure of these cells to alloferon for 3 weeks led to the downregulation of SLC6A14 expression and decreased glutamine uptake. Given that SLC6A14 plays a role in tumor progression and survival by promoting glutamine uptake into cancer cells, alloferon could be a potential adjuvant for the chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine.

Automated summary

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal solid tumor with limited treatment options. Recent studies have shown that upregulation of the amino acid transporter SLC6A14 is associated with glutamine metabolism in some cancers. Alloferon, a peptide derived from the insect immune system, has been found to have anti-tumoral effects, although its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, researchers investigated the effects of alloferon on pancreatic cancer cell lines and found that it downregulated SLC6A14 expression and reduced glutamine uptake. This suggests that alloferon could potentially be used as an adjuvant for chemotherapeutic drugs in pancreatic cancer treatment.