Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer

Abstract Advanced ovarian cancer often presents with multiple lesions exhibiting varying responses to chemotherapy, highlighting the critical influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study investigates the phenomenon of chemotherapeutic hormesis, wherein low doses of chemotherapeutic agen...

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Main Authors: Xuboya Chang, Satoshi Tamauchi, Atsushi Nakagawa, Wang Xinyuan, Kosuke Yoshida, Akira Yokoi, Nobuhisa Yoshikawa, Hiroaki Kajiyama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84290-7
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author Xuboya Chang
Satoshi Tamauchi
Atsushi Nakagawa
Wang Xinyuan
Kosuke Yoshida
Akira Yokoi
Nobuhisa Yoshikawa
Hiroaki Kajiyama
author_facet Xuboya Chang
Satoshi Tamauchi
Atsushi Nakagawa
Wang Xinyuan
Kosuke Yoshida
Akira Yokoi
Nobuhisa Yoshikawa
Hiroaki Kajiyama
author_sort Xuboya Chang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Advanced ovarian cancer often presents with multiple lesions exhibiting varying responses to chemotherapy, highlighting the critical influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study investigates the phenomenon of chemotherapeutic hormesis, wherein low doses of chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin (CDDP) and paclitaxel (PTX), paradoxically stimulate rather than inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that NOS3 ovarian cancer cells, particularly drug-resistant variants, exhibit enhanced proliferation when exposed to low concentrations of these drugs. This effect is further amplified under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that the TME plays a pivotal role in modulating chemotherapeutic outcomes. Mechanistically, low-dose CDDP upregulates pathways involved in cell cycle progression, specifically the G2/M checkpoint and mitotic spindle formation, accelerating rather than arresting the cell cycle. Furthermore, the activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and increased glutathione levels indicate increased cellular response to oxidative stress, further contributing to cell survival and proliferation. These findings challenge traditional treatment strategies that prioritize the maximization of drug dosage, suggesting that a more nuanced approach considering the influence of the TME and the potential for hormesis could improve therapeutic outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms driving chemotherapeutic hormesis is essential for developing more effective treatments for refractory ovarian cancer. Future research should focus on mitigating the impact of hormesis to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy in resistant cancer types.
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spelling doaj-art-1e81767bce5d4df3ba1425abfce666b02025-01-05T12:14:48ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111510.1038/s41598-024-84290-7Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancerXuboya Chang0Satoshi Tamauchi1Atsushi Nakagawa2Wang Xinyuan3Kosuke Yoshida4Akira Yokoi5Nobuhisa Yoshikawa6Hiroaki Kajiyama7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of MedicineAbstract Advanced ovarian cancer often presents with multiple lesions exhibiting varying responses to chemotherapy, highlighting the critical influence of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study investigates the phenomenon of chemotherapeutic hormesis, wherein low doses of chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin (CDDP) and paclitaxel (PTX), paradoxically stimulate rather than inhibit cancer cell proliferation. Our findings indicate that NOS3 ovarian cancer cells, particularly drug-resistant variants, exhibit enhanced proliferation when exposed to low concentrations of these drugs. This effect is further amplified under hypoxic conditions, suggesting that the TME plays a pivotal role in modulating chemotherapeutic outcomes. Mechanistically, low-dose CDDP upregulates pathways involved in cell cycle progression, specifically the G2/M checkpoint and mitotic spindle formation, accelerating rather than arresting the cell cycle. Furthermore, the activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway and increased glutathione levels indicate increased cellular response to oxidative stress, further contributing to cell survival and proliferation. These findings challenge traditional treatment strategies that prioritize the maximization of drug dosage, suggesting that a more nuanced approach considering the influence of the TME and the potential for hormesis could improve therapeutic outcomes. Understanding the mechanisms driving chemotherapeutic hormesis is essential for developing more effective treatments for refractory ovarian cancer. Future research should focus on mitigating the impact of hormesis to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy in resistant cancer types.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84290-7Ovarian cancerChemotherapyTumor microenvironmentHormesisGlutathione
spellingShingle Xuboya Chang
Satoshi Tamauchi
Atsushi Nakagawa
Wang Xinyuan
Kosuke Yoshida
Akira Yokoi
Nobuhisa Yoshikawa
Hiroaki Kajiyama
Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
Scientific Reports
Ovarian cancer
Chemotherapy
Tumor microenvironment
Hormesis
Glutathione
title Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
title_full Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
title_fullStr Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
title_full_unstemmed Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
title_short Chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
title_sort chemotherapeutic hormesis induced by the tumor microenvironment in refractory ovarian cancer
topic Ovarian cancer
Chemotherapy
Tumor microenvironment
Hormesis
Glutathione
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-84290-7
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