Synergistic Anti-tumor Effect of KLF4 and Curcumin in Human Gastric Carcinoma Cell Line

Krüppel-like factor 4 is a transcription factor which plays an important role in development and progressionof various carcinomas. Curcumin characterized by excellent anti-cancer properties is regarded as a serviceablenatural compound used in carcinoma therapy. This study aimed at exploring the impact of KLF4 overexpressionin cooperation with curcumin on the proliferation, apoptosis and invasion of human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 cells. Flow cytometry analysis, CCK-8 assays, transwell assays and Western blot results showed that KLF4overexpression combined with curcumin had significant anti-proliferation, pro-apoptosis and anti-invasion effectson BGC-823 cells. We also found that KLF4 had synergistic effects with curcumin, better promoting apoptosisand inhibiting proliferation and invasion of gastric carcinona cells. These results indicate that KLF4 could beused as a potential therapeutic target; curcumin could act as an auxiliary and provide a promising therapeuticstrategy in stomach cancer.