Commentary: Lico A causes ER stress and apoptosis via up-regulating miR-144-3p in human lung cancer cell line H292

Natural compound licochalcone A (lico A), a main constituent of flavonoids, has been proved to induce ER stress and apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the underlying anti-tumor mechanism of lico A remains to be clarified in detail. A recently-published report from the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology evaluated the miRNA-based mechanism for lico A on its anti-cancer effect. They found that lico A significantly promoted the tumor-suppressor miR-144-3p expression, so as to up-regulate ER stress-response protein CHOP (CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein) by down-regulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), finally inducing apoptotic cell death in lung cancer. Their findings pave the path toward a more understanding of miRNA-based drugs for cancer treatment in the future.