Enhancing cancer immunotherapy using cordycepin and Cordyceps militaris extract to sensitize cancer cells and modulate immune responses
Issued Date
2024-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20452322
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85204456188
Pubmed ID
39300166
Journal Title
Scientific Reports
Volume
14
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Scientific Reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Thepmalee C., Jenkham P., Ramwarungkura B., Suwannasom N., Khoothiam K., Thephinlap C., Sawasdee N., Panya A., Yenchitsomanus P.T. Enhancing cancer immunotherapy using cordycepin and Cordyceps militaris extract to sensitize cancer cells and modulate immune responses. Scientific Reports Vol.14 No.1 (2024). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-72833-x Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/101381
Title
Enhancing cancer immunotherapy using cordycepin and Cordyceps militaris extract to sensitize cancer cells and modulate immune responses
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Integrating immunotherapy with natural compounds holds promise in enhancing the immune system’s ability to eliminate cancer cells. Cordyceps militaris, a traditional Chinese medicine, emerges as a promising candidate in this regard. This study investigates the effects of cordycepin and C. militaris ethanolic extract (Cm-EE) on sensitizing cancer cells and regulating immune responses against breast cancer (BC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Cordycepin, pentostatin and adenosine were identified in Cm-EE. Cordycepin treatment decreased HLA-ABC-positive cells in pre-treated cancer cells, while Cm-EE increased NKG2D ligand and death receptor expression. Additionally, cordycepin enhanced NKG2D receptor and death ligand expression on CD3-negative effector immune cells, particularly on natural killer (NK) cells, while Cm-EE pre-treatment stimulated IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 production. Co-culturing cancer cells with effector immune cells during cordycepin or Cm-EE incubation resulted in elevated cancer cell death. These findings highlight the potential of cordycepin and Cm-EE in improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy for BC and HCC.