Involvement of Corticotropin-releasing Hormone-related Peptides in Cellular Stress Caused by Anticancer Drugs in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Background/aim: The expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-related peptides involved in stress response in colorectal cancer has been reported. We examined the involvement of CRH-related peptides in cellular stress caused by anticancer drugs in colorectal cancer.

Materials and methods: Changes in the expression levels of CRH-related peptides and their receptors in HCT116, DLD-1, and SW480 cell lines after fluorouracil (5-FU) loading were evaluated. Effects of the receptor antagonist against DNA synthesis disorder caused by 5-FU and SN-38 were evaluated using the ³H-labeled deoxyribonucleoside incorporation assay.

Results: No changes in the mRNA expression levels of CRH-related peptides (UCN and UCN2) -and their receptors (CRHR1 and CRHR2) were observed. Addition of antagonists to cells with DNA synthesis disorder caused by 5-FU and SN-38 showed no differences in the incorporation of ³H-labeled deoxyribonucleoside.

Conclusion: CRH-related peptides showed no effect on the stress response to anticancer drugs nor on DNA synthesis disorder in colorectal cancer.

Keywords: Colorectal cancer; anticancer drug; corticotropin-releasing hormone; stress.