Honokiol as a Radiosensitizing Agent for Colorectal Cancers

摘要

Radioresistance is a frustrating obstacle for patients with colorectal cancers (CRCs) undergoing radiotherapy. There is an urgent need to find an effective agent to increase the sensitivity of CRCs to radiation. Honokiol, an active compound purified from magnolia, was found to radiosensitize CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, the mechanism controlling important signaling that enhances radiosensitivity is currently unknown. In this study, we review important signaling pathways that are closely related to radiosensitization, such as cell cycle arrest, tumor angiogenesis, the Jak/STAT3 signaling pathway, and mismatch repair. Studies show that honokiol can interfere with these pathways at different levels. Overall analysis may shed light on the possible mechanism by which honokiol acts as a radiosensitizing agent for CRCs.