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Camphor white oil induces tumor regression through cytotoxic T cell‐dependent mechanisms
Author(s) -
Moayedi Yalda,
Greenberg Sophie A.,
Jenkins Blair A.,
Marshall Kara L.,
Dimitrov Lina V.,
Nelson Aislyn M.,
Owens David M.,
Lumpkin Ellen A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
molecular carcinogenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1098-2744
pISSN - 0899-1987
DOI - 10.1002/mc.22965
Subject(s) - biology , camphor , cytotoxic t cell , cinnamomum camphora , nfat , cancer research , cinnamomum , t cell , keratinocyte , transcription factor , immune system , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , in vitro , gene , botany , pathology , chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , traditional chinese medicine , cassia
Bioactive derivatives from the camphor laurel tree, Cinnamomum camphora , are posited to exhibit chemopreventive properties but the efficacy and mechanism of these natural products are not fully understood. We tested an essential‐oil derivative, camphor white oil (CWO), for anti‐tumor activity in a mouse model of keratinocyte‐derived skin cancer. Daily topical treatment with CWO induced dramatic regression of pre‐malignant skin tumors and a two‐fold reduction in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. We next investigated underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. In cultured keratinocytes, CWO stimulated calcium signaling, resulting in calcineurin‐dependent activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In vivo, CWO induced transcriptional changes in immune‐related genes identified by RNA‐sequencing, resulting in cytotoxic T cell‐dependent tumor regression. Finally, we identified chemical constituents of CWO that recapitulated effects of the admixture. Together, these studies identify T cell‐mediated tumor regression as a mechanism through which a plant‐derived essential oil diminishes established tumor burden.