Shengmai Jianghuang San enhances radiosensitivity of hypoxic nasopharyngeal carcinoma by inhibiting cancer stemness

作者：Chao Su, Fengying Gong, Yanyi You, Ziqing Jiang, Xiaohui Wen, Yaran Wang, Sijie Lin, Fei Li, Jingjun Li, Ying Liu, Daoqi Zhu, Qin Fan · 发表于：QJM · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1093/qjmed/hcaf147 · 研究领域：Hippo pathway signaling and YAP/TAZ、Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism、Cancer Cells and Metastasis

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Previous studies by our research team have shown that Shengmai Jianghuang San (SMJHS) inhibits the proliferation and migration of hypoxic NPC cells, thereby enhancing their radiosensitivity. AIM: This study aimed to explore the effects and potential molecular mechanisms of action of SMJHS on NPC cell stemness. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were administered SMJHS intragastrically, and blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta. Serum containing the drug was obtained by low-speed centrifugation. The components of the SMJHS-containing serum were analysed using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Cobalt chloride was used to simulate cell hypoxia. Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium, colony formation and tumour sphere formation assays were conducted to assess cell viability, radiosensitivity and stemness markers, respectively. Stable knockdown cell lines were established using lentivirus transduction. The interactions between NPC cancer stem cells and the tenascin-C (TNC)/HIF-1α/YAP1 pathway were assessed using western blotting and RT-qPCR. The effect of SMJHS on NPC radioresistance was analysed using subcutaneous tumour xenografts in nude mice. RESULTS: Our study showed that SMJHS inhibited NPC cell growth in vitro, enhanced NPC radiosensitivity and reduced NPC cell stemness. Compared with the control group, SMJHS significantly suppressed tu...