Logo image
Pharmacologic ascorbate (P-AscH - ) suppresses hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Pharmacologic ascorbate (P-AscH - ) suppresses hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Justin G Wilkes, Brianne R O'Leary, Juan Du, Adrienne R Klinger, Zita A Sibenaller, Claire M Doskey, Katherine N Gibson-Corley, Matthew S Alexander, Susan Tsai, Garry R Buettner, …
Clinical & experimental metastasis, Vol.35(1-2), pp.37-51
02/2018
DOI: 10.1007/s10585-018-9876-z
PMCID: PMC5959274
PMID: 29396728
url
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10585-018-9876-zView
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

HIF-1α is a transcriptional regulator that functions in the adaptation of cells to hypoxic conditions; it strongly impacts the prognosis of patients with cancer. High-dose, intravenous, pharmacological ascorbate (P-AscH ), induces cytotoxicity and oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells by acting as a pro-drug for the delivery of hydrogen peroxide (H O ); early clinical data suggest improved survival and inhibition of metastasis in patients being actively treated with P-AscH . Previous studies have demonstrated that activation of HIF-1α is necessary for P-AscH sensitivity. We hypothesized that pancreatic cancer (PDAC) progression and metastasis could be be targeted by P-AscH via H O -mediated inhibition of HIF-1α stabilization. Our study demonstrates an oxygen- and prolyl hydroxylase-independent regulation of HIF-1α by P-AscH . Additionally, P-AscH decreased VEGF secretion in a dose-dependent manner that was reversible with catalase, consistent with an H O -mediated mechanism. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations of HIF-1α did not alter P-AscH -induced cytotoxicity. In vivo, P-AscH inhibited tumor growth and VEGF expression. We conclude that P-AscH suppresses the levels of HIF-1α protein in hypoxic conditions through a post-translational mechanism. These findings suggest potential new therapies specifically designed to inhibit the mechanisms that drive metastases as a part of PDAC treatment.
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma Ascorbate Metastasis Hypoxia inducible factor Vitamin C

Details

Metrics

Logo image