Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Synergistic and Individual Action of Berberine and Etoposide Against Osteosarcoma

Publication Date

Fall 2024

College

Sciences and Mathematics, College of

Department

Biology, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Andrea Florian

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Osteosarcoma, the predominant cancer forming in the bones, primarily occurs in people under the age of twenty-five. After initial diagnosis, patients have a localized 5-year relative survival rate of 76% and a survival rate of 24% if the cancer becomes metastasized. Due to the cancer’s aggressive nature and resistance to chemotherapy, osteosarcoma treatments can be challenging for patients. To more efficiently induce apoptosis caused by high levels of chemotherapy and thus reduce the side effects caused by the high levels of chemotherapy, this study investigates the effects of incorporating the supplement berberine into etoposide chemotherapy treatments. Berberine, a natural alkaloid compound, exhibited growth inhibition of cancer cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT pathway and shifted Bcl-2 family protein expression to induce apoptosis. Our findings suggest that combining etoposide and berberine could offer an effective therapeutic strategy to improve treatment outcomes for osteosarcoma patients.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS