Anti-proliferative and anti-migratory properties of coffee diterpenes kahweol acetate and cafestol in human renal cancer cells

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 12;11(1):675. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-80302-4.

Abstract

Despite improvements in systemic therapy options for renal cancer, it remains one of the most drug-resistant malignancies. Interestingly, reports have shown that kahweol and cafestol, natural diterpenes extracted from coffee beans, exhibit anti-cancer activity. However, the multiple potential pharmacological actions of both have yet to be fully understood. This study therefore investigated the effects of kahweol acetate and cafestol on human renal cancer ACHN and Caki-1 cells. Accordingly, the combination of kahweol acetate and cafestol administration synergistically inhibited cell proliferation and migration by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mechanistic dissection revealed that kahweol acetate and cafestol inhibited Akt and ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, kahweol acetate and cafestol downregulated the expression of not only C-C chemokine receptors 2, 5, and 6 but also programmed death-ligand 1, indicating their effects on the tumor microenvironment. Thus, kahweol acetate and cafestol may be novel therapeutic candidates for renal cancer considering that they exert multiple pharmacological effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Coffee / chemistry*
  • Diterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Kidney Neoplasms / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Coffee
  • Diterpenes
  • kahweol acetate
  • cafestol