What is it about?
Modulating the signaling axis between tumors and their environment is one of the key strategies to slow down the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to design a polyethylene glycolated liposome loaded with thymoquinone (PEG-TQ-LP) as a delivery system to investigate its effect on HCC progression and the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. The study revealed the inhibitory effects of PEG-TQ-LP on the proliferation of HCC cells and facilitated apoptosis. The observed effect can be explained by the increased expression of BAX and the decreased expression of BCL2. The activation of p38-MAPK has been implicated in the anti-oncogenic impact of PEG-TQ-LP. This activation was correlated with the dephosphorylation of MEK and ERK. The in vivo study confirmed that PEGTQ-LP reduces the detrimental effects of free TQ on liver tissue, suppresses tumor growth, and reestablishes the oxidative state equilibrium. Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that TQ docked well with three key targets. These findings may represent a novel strategy for the treatment of liver cancer, as PEG-TQ-LP potently promotes apoptosis. This is achieved via thymoquinone’s ability to bind to cancer protein targets' active sites, which indicates that it functions similarly to anticancer medications.
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Why is it important?
It is a treatment for cancer. Our findings show that group-living animals' social strategies can be changed in very short periods of time. Thus, our techniques are significantly more adaptable than previously thought.
Perspectives
The in silico investigation was carried out to determine thymoquinone's anti-tumor properties in connection with HCC. This study offers novel insights and scientific evidence supporting the use of PEG-TQ-LP for the therapeutic effect in HCC. Writing this article was a great pleasure, as it has co-authors with whom I have had long-standing collaborations. This article also led to rare disease groups contacting me and ultimately to a greater involvement in rare disease research.
Prof Mahmoud Essmat Balbaa
Alexandria University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Thymoquinone-conjugated liposomes improve cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects against hepatocellular cancer by altering the EGFR/ERK/MEK signaling axis, Discover Oncology, October 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s12672-025-03714-6.
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