Colorectal Cancer Treatment Flashcards

Flashcards reviewing key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on the anticancer effects of GLP-1 agonists and 5-Fluorouracil in colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

The third most common and deadly cancer worldwide, often treated with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU).

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)

A chemotherapy drug and golden standard treatment for CRC, but can become ineffective in late stages due to resistance.

Liraglutide

A Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, effective in combatting obesity, with potential anticancer effects.

Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists

drugs, such as Liraglutide, are effective in combatting obesity and recent studies have suggested their potential role in treating cancer

IC50

The concentration of a drug required to inhibit 50% of cell growth, used to evaluate the effects of Liraglutide and 5-FU on CRC cell lines.

MTT cell viability assay

A colorimetric assay used to measure the inhibitory effects of treatments on cell growth by assessing cellular oxidoreductase enzyme activity.

Cell Cycle Analysis

A process using flow cytometry to assess the distribution of cells in different phases (G0/G1, S, G2/M) after treatment with drugs.

G1-arrest

A significant increase in the number of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, often induced by 5-FU.

S-phase elevation

A significant increase in the number of cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle, often induced by Liraglutide.

PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

A key cell growth pathway that is overactive in CRC. GLP-1 can stop cancer cells from multiplying by blocking this pathway.

BMP4/Smad pathway

A pathway activated by high blood sugar, which can fuel aggressive colorectal cancer. GLP-1 receptor agonists counteract this by lowering BMP4 levels and blocking the pathway.

HT29 and SW480

Colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines used in experiments to test the anticancer effects of Liraglutide and 5-FU.