Proteomic analysis of the in vitro anti-cancer effects of all-trans retinoic acid and curcumin combination therapy reveals molecular insights in U87 glioblastoma cells

Sönmez C., Ergun B., Baltacıoğlu A., Özpınar A.

3rd Net4Brain Annual Meeting 2026, İstanbul, Türkiye, 1 - 03 Haziran 2026, ss.81-82, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.81-82
  • Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

3rd Net4Brain Annual Meeting 2026 · Abstract Book İstanbul · June 1–3, 2026

COST Action CA20113 Page 81

23. Proteomic analysis of the in vitro anti-cancer effects of all-trans retinoic acid and curcumin combination

therapy reveals molecular insights in U87 glioblastoma cells

Ceyda Sönmez1, Büşra Ergün1, Aleyna Baltacıoğlu1, Aysel Özpınar1,2*

1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Acibadem Mehmet

Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, 34752, TÜRKİYE

2Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University,

Istanbul 34752, TÜRKİYE

*Correspondence: aysel.ozpinar@acibadem.edu.tr

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis,

characterized by rapid progression, high recurrence, and resistance to conventional therapies. The limited

efficacy of single-agent treatments in heterogeneous tumors has led to growing interest in combination

therapies.

Aim: The goal of this study was to investigate the in vitro antitumoral effects of ATRA and CURC combination

therapy in U87-MG glioblastoma cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms through

proteomic profiling.

Methods: Cell viability, migration and apoptosis assays were performed to evaluate the antitumoral effects

of ATRA and Curcumin, both individually and in combination. U87-MG glioblastoma cells were treated with

experimentally determined doses for 72 hours and cell pellets were stored at −80 °C. Pellets were lysed in a

urea-based buffer containing protease and phosphatase inhibitors. Proteins were reduced with DTT and

alkylated with chloroacetamide, followed by dilution and overnight tryptic digestion. The resulting peptides

analyzed with nano-LC-MS/MS. Data were processed using MaxQuant and UniProt database search, followed

by statistical evaluation with Perseus. Differentially expressed proteins were subjected to pathway

enrichment analysis.

Results: The combination therapy demonstrated a synergistic effect, significantly reducing proliferation and

migration compared to monotherapies. Proteomic analysis revealed substantial remodeling of signaling

networks, including alterations in cell cycle regulation, protein synthesis, angiogenesis, invasion, DNA

replication, and critical signaling pathways.

Conclusion: ATRA and curcumin combination stands out as a potent strategy with high therapeutic potential

by simultaneously targeting multiple critical signaling pathways in GBM cells.