[Simultaneous inhibition of XIAP and survivin expression on EMT and invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells].

Objective: To investigate the simultaneous inhibition of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) and survivin expression on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasiion of pancreatic cancer cells Panc-1, and its mechanism.

Methods: On the established human pancreatic cancer cells Panc-1-XS, the expression of XIAP and survivin was inhibited simultaneously. Cell invasion and migration were detected by Transwell chamber experiments and scratch test, and the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin, mesenchymal markers Slug, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and P-Akt protein was determined by Western blot.

Results: Cell invasion and migration of Panc-1-XS cells decreased significantly, accompanied by significantly upregulated protein expression of E-cadherin, and significantly declined protein expression of the Slug, indicating increased mesenchymal-epithelial conversion (MET); and increased protein expression of PTEN, and declined protein expression of P-Akt.

Conclusion: Simultaneously inhibiting the expression of XIAP and survivin can partially reverse EMT phenotype of pancreatic cancer Panc-1 cells, which then significantly reduces the cell invasion and migration of Panc-1 cell lines. This process may be regulated by PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.