Identification of Molecular Mechanisms in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells Following Co-Treatment with MS13 [1,5-Bis(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)1,4-Pentadiene-3-One] and Gefitinib

Drug resistance impedes the efficacy of many anti-cancer drugs, highlighting the need for improved treatments. Curcumin analogues or diarylpentanoids (DAP) have previously demonstrated potent anti-cancer activity however, studies investigating their effects in combination treatments are lacking. The present study demonstrated that co-treatment of a selected DAP [MS13 (1,5-Bis(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)1,4-Pentadiene-3-One)] and gefitinib [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor] in human lung adenocarcinoma cells demonstrated cytotoxic, anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects possibly via regulation of signalling pathways associated with cellular responses to stress, metabolism, autophagy, translation and axon guidance. This warrants further investigation into potential use of DAPs in combination treatments against lung cancer.