Integrative Chinese-Western medicine strategy to overcome docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer

Lin Chen; Yu-Xin Xu; Yuan-Shuo Wang; Ying-Ying Ren; Yi-Min Chen; Cheng Zheng; Tian Xie; Ying-Jie Jia; Jian-Liang Zhou

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118265

Integrative Chinese-Western medicine strategy to overcome docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer

J Ethnopharmacol. 2024 Apr 25:118265. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118265. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Lin Chen¹, Yu-Xin Xu¹, Yuan-Shuo Wang², Ying-Ying Ren¹, Yi-Min Chen¹, Cheng Zheng³, Tian Xie⁴, Ying-Jie Jia⁵, Jian-Liang Zhou⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China.
² School of Pharmacy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.
³ Department of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Zhejiang Institute for Food and Drug Control, Hangzhou 310052, China.
⁴ School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China. Electronic address: xbs@hznu.edu.cn.
⁵ Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China. Electronic address: jiayingjie1616@sina.com.
⁶ School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China; Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, China. Electronic address: cpuzhou@163.com.

PMID: 38677579
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118265

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have emerged as a promising complementary therapy in the management of prostate cancer (PCa), particularly in addressing resistance to Docetaxel (DTX) chemotherapy.

Aim of the review: This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to DTX in PCa and explore the innovative approach of integrating TCMs in PCa treatment to overcome this resistance. Key areas of investigation include alterations in microtubule proteins, androgen receptor (AR) and AR-V7 variants, ERG rearrangement, drug efflux mechanisms, cancer stem cells, centrosome clustering, upregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, enhanced DNA damage repair capability, and the involvement of neurotrophin receptor 1/protein kinase C.

Materials and methods: With "Prostate cancer", "Docetaxel", "Docetaxel resistance", "Natural compounds", "Traditional Chinese medicine", "Traditional Chinese medicine compound", "Medicinal plants" as the main keywords, PubMed, Web of Science and other online search engines were used for literature retrieval.

Results: Our findings underscore the intricate interplay of molecular alterations that collectively contribute to the resistance of PCa cells to DTX. Moreover, we highlight the potential of TCMs as a promising complementary therapy, showcasing their ability to counteract DTX resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion: The integration of TCMs in PCa treatment emerges as an innovative approach with significant potential to overcome DTX resistance. This review not only provides insights into the mechanisms of resistance but also presents new prospects for improving the clinical outcomes of patients with PCa undergoing DTX therapy. The comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms lays the foundation for future research and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: Docetaxel; Prostate cancer; Resistance mechanisms; Reversal effects; Traditional Chinese medicines.

Publication types

Review