β-Thujaplicin Enhances TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis via the Dual Effects of XIAP Inhibition and Degradation in NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells.

: β-thujaplicin, a natural tropolone derivative, has anticancer effects on various cancer cells via apoptosis. However, the apoptosis regulatory proteins involved in this process have yet to be revealed. Trypan blue staining, a WST-8 assay, and a caspase-3/7 activity assay were used to investigate whether β-thujaplicin sensitizes cancer cells to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis.

The transcription factor MAFK induces EMT and malignant progression of triple-negative breast cancer cells through its target GPNMB.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is particularly aggressive and difficult to treat. For example, the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) pathway is implicated in TNBC progression and metastasis, but its opposing role in tumor suppression in healthy tissues and early-stage lesions makes it a challenging target. Therefore, additional molecular characterization of TNBC may lead to improved patient prognosis by informing the development and optimum use of targeted therapies.