Turkish Journal of Biology, cilt.47, sa.4, ss.290-300, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Background/aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a fatal malignancy type and its occurence still needs to be explored mechanistically. Notch, IL-1, and leptin crosstalk is reported to play a role in the proliferation, migration, and expression of proangiogenic molecules. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of inhibition of Notch, IL-1, and leptin on CRC. Materials and methods: To generate colorectal cancer tumor xenografts, 1 × 10 7 cells from exponentially growing cultures of HCT- 15 cells were injected subcutaneously, at the axillary region of the left and right rear flanks of forty $NOD.CB17-Prkd^{cscid}/J (NOD/SCID)$ female mice. The mice were then monitored for the development of tumors and were randomly divided into five groups when tumor sizes reached a volume of approximately 150 mm3. Mice were used to determine the effectiveness of the gamma-secretase inhibitor (DAPT, Notch inhibitor), the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (Anakinra) and the leptin receptor antagonist (Allo aca) against tumor growth. The mice were euthanized by $CO_2$ inhalation immediately after the treatments finished, and all efforts were made to minimize suffering. Tumors were excissed for RT-PCR and histological analysis. Results: There is an intact Notch, IL-1, and leptin signaling axis, and in vivo antagonism of Notch, IL-1, and leptin affects mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory and angiogenic molecules. Conclusion: Present data suggest that targeting Notch, IL-1, and leptin may be possesses therapeutic potential in CRC.