Publications by authors named "Ah-Won Kwak"

Licochalcone C (LCC; PubChem CID:9840805), a chalcone compound originating from the root of , has shown anticancer activity against skin cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the therapeutic potential of LCC in treating colorectal cancer (CRC) and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Chemotherapy for CRC is challenging because of the development of drug resistance.

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Treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) has always been challenged by the development of resistance. We investigated the antiproliferative activity of licochalcone H (LCH), a regioisomer of licochalcone C derived from the root of Glycyrrhiza inflata, in oxaliplatin (Ox)-sensitive and -resistant CRC cells. LCH significantly inhibited cell viability and colony growth in both Ox-sensitive and Ox-resistant CRC cells.

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The mechanistic functions of 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chalcone compound known to have many pharmacological effects on lung cancer, have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identified the comprehensive anti-cancer mechanism of 3-DSC, which targets EGFR and MET kinase in drug-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC directly targets both EGFR and MET, thereby inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells.

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Licochalcone B (LCB) exhibits anticancer activity in oral cancer, lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, little is known about its antitumor mechanisms in human oxaliplatin-sensitive and -resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antitumor potential of LCB against human colorectal cancer in vitro and analyze its molecular mechanism of action.

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Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification or sensitive mutations initially respond to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib, however, the treatment becomes less effective over time by resistance mechanism including mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) overexpression. A therapeutic strategy targeting MET and EGFR may be a means to overcoming resistance to gefitinib. In the present study, we found that picropodophyllotoxin (PPT), derived from the roots of , inhibited both EGFR and MET in NSCLC cells.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a very common and deadly cancer worldwide, and oxaliplatin is used as first-line chemotherapy. However, resistance usually develops, limiting treatment. Echinatin (Ech) is the main component of licorice and exhibits various therapeutic effects on inflammation-mediated diseases and cancer, ischemia/reperfusion, and liver injuries.

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Background: Isolinderalactone (ILL), a sesquiterpene lactone compound, can be extracted from the root of Lindera aggregate. Physiological activities of ILL, including anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects, have been investigated in multiple diseases. Nevertheless, little is known regarding its anti-cancer activities and the mechanism of action of ILL in targeting human CRC cells.

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Podophyllotoxin (PT), a lignan compound from the roots and rhizomes of , has diverse pharmacological activities including anticancer effect in several types of cancer. The molecular mechanism of the anticancer effects of PT on colorectal cancer cells has not been reported yet. In this study, we sought to evaluate the anticancer effect of PT on human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells and identify the detailed molecular mechanism.

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Picropodophyllotoxin (PPT), an epimer of podophyllotoxin, is derived from the roots of and exerts various biological effects, including anti-proliferation activity. However, the effect of PPT on colorectal cancer cells and the associated cellular mechanisms have not been studied. In the present study, we explored the anticancer activity of PPT and its underlying mechanisms in HCT116 cells.

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Background: The 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chemical separated from Caesalpinia sappan L, has been substantiated to display anti-inflammatory, anti-influenza, and anti-allergy activities according to previous studies. However, the underlying mechanisms of action on esophageal cancer remain unknown.

Purpose: The present research aims to survey the action mechanisms of 3-DSC in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells in vitro.

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As one of the major types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Treatments for NSCLC includes surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Among the targeted therapies, resistance to inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common and remains a problem to be solved.

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Background: Lung cancer has the highest incidence and cancer-related mortality of all cancers worldwide. Its treatment is focused on molecular targeted therapy. c-MET plays an important role in the development and metastasis of various human cancers and has been identified as an attractive potential anti-cancer target.

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Global environmental pollution has led to human exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to the damaged ozone layer, thereby increasing the incidence and death rate of skin cancer including both melanoma and non-melanoma. Overexpression and activation of V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT, also known as protein kinase B) and related signaling pathways are major factors contributing to many cancers including lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and skin cancer. Although BRAF inhibitors are used to treat melanoma, further options are needed due to treatment resistance and poor efficacy.

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Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) derived from (L.) Hoffm has attracted considerable interest in recent years because of its anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antiviral activity. However, the mechanisms underlying DPT mediated antitumor activity have yet to be fully elucidated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

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Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a major histologic type of esophageal cancer, is one of the frequent causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Picropodophyllotoxin (PPT) is the main component of root with antitumor activity via apoptosis-mediated mechanisms in several cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism of the PPT effects in apoptosis induction in cancer remains ambiguous.

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Licochalcone D (LCD), a flavonoid isolated from a Chinese medicinal plant , has a variety of pharmacological activities. However, the anti-cancer effects of LCD on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not been investigated yet. The amplification of (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) compensates for the inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activity due to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), leading to TKI resistance.

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Along with changes in dietary habits and lifestyle, the incidence of esophageal cancer is increasing around the world. Since chemotherapy for esophageal cancer has significant side effects, phytochemicals have attracted attention as an alternative medicine. Licochalcone C (LCC) is a flavonoid compound extracted from Licorice, with a variety of clinical uses including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.

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Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a poor prognostic cancer with a low five-year survival rate. Echinatin (Ech) is a retrochalone from licorice. It has been used as a herbal medicine due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.

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Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant cancers with a low 5-year survival rate. Licochalcone (LC) H, a chemically synthesized substance, is a regioisomer of LCC extracted from licorice. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LCH might have anticancer effect on human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines via apoptosis signaling pathway.

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Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) containing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification or sensitive mutations initially respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib; however, the treatment is less effective over time. Gefitinib resistance mechanisms include MET gene amplification. A therapeutic strategy targeting MET as well as EGFR can overcome resistance to gefitinib.

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