Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40255562›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in pharmacology2025

Alpha-estradiol and (R)-(-)-ibuprofen inhibit gastric cancer progression via GLI1 G-quadruplex.

Qiang Li, Pan Pan, Qingqing Xian, Jingtan Li, Jingting Wang, Jiaying Cai, Jing Wang, Yanfei Jia, Haiji Sun, Lulu Zhang and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Qiang LiResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Pan PanDepartment of Pathology, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Qingqing XianResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Jingtan LiResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Jingting WangResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Jiaying CaiResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Jing WangResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Yanfei JiaResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Haiji SunCollege of Life Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Lulu ZhangResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
Xiaoli MaResearch Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The transcription factor GLI1, aberrantly activated in gastric cancer, drives tumor progression, yet no approved inhibitors currently target this molecule. G-quadruplex (G4) motifs in promoter regions have emerged as promising therapeutic targets. This study explores G4 stabilization in the GLI1 promoter as a novel strategy to suppress gastric cancer progression. Methods: G4 formation in the GLI1 promoter was validated using circular dichroism. A dual-luciferase assay screened FDA-approved drugs for G4-stabilizing activity, identifying alpha-estradiol and (R)-(-)-ibuprofen as candidates. These compounds were evaluated for anti-tumor effects through in vitro assays (proliferation, migration, invasion) and in vivo xenograft models. Mechanistic insights into GLI1/PRKACB signaling were obtained via chromatin immunoprecipitation and pathway analysis. Results: Stable G4 structures were confirmed in the GLI1 promoter. Alpha-estradiol and (R)-(-)-ibuprofen suppressed GLI1 transcription and protein levels, significantly inhibiting gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and stemness. In vivo, both compounds reduced tumor growth and metastasis, with (R)-(-)-ibuprofen synergizing with cisplatin to enhance efficacy. Mechanistically, GLI1 directly regulated PRKACB expression, and G4 stabilization downregulated PRKACB, impairing epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stemness. Conclusion: Targeting GLI1 G4 structures with alpha-estradiol and (R)-(-)-ibuprofen effectively inhibits gastric cancer progression by blocking GLI1/PRKACB signaling. This study highlights G4-targeted therapy as a novel and clinically translatable strategy for gastric cancer treatment.

Indexed as

alpha-estradiolgastric cancerGLI1G-quadruplexPRKACB(R)-(−)-ibuprofen

Identifiers

PMID40255562
PMCPMC12006100

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.