Deoxypodophyllotoxin suppresses Malignant pleural mesothelioma growth via mitotic dependent necroptosis

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a highly aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Patients are typically diagnosed at an advanced stage due to the disease's long incubation period. Limited therapeutic advancements in the last two decades have prompted further investigation into alternative treatments. Previous studies have identified significant dysregulation in the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint pathway and microtubule network of MPM, underscoring the potential of targeting microtubules in managing MPM. Deoxypodophyllotoxin (DPT) is a novel microtubule-targeting drug that has demonstrated promising therapeutic efficacy in various cancers. While the precise mechanism of DPT's anti-MPM effect remains undisclosed, our research indicates that DPT inhibits MPM growth in a dose-dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, it exhibits a favorable safety profile and shows lower toxicity towards normal cells and mice at therapeutic doses. Mechanistic studies involving three MPM cell lines (MSTO-211H, H2452, and H28) revealed that DPT induces multinucleated and micronucleated cells, disrupts spindle formation, and triggers Mitosis cell cycle arrest and necroptosis in tumor cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that DPT holds promise as a safe and effective therapeutic option for MPM.