Combination treatment with artemisinin and oxaliplatin inhibits tumorigenesis in esophageal cancer EC109 cell through Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway

Background Esophageal cancer (EC) is a prevalent malignant cancer worldwide. Interestingly, the antimalaria compound artemisinin (ART) is also reported to have anticancer potential, although its underlying mechanism in EC is unclear. In this study, we explored the anticancer role of ART in EC109 and further explored the combination of ART and oxaliplatin (OXA) for their synergetic anticancer functions. Methods Human EC cell line EC109 was used. After ART or oxaliplatin (OXA) treatment, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured by MTT, transwell, and scratch wound assays, respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to examine the cell cycle and apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels were determined using qRT‐PCR and western blotting. Results The migration and invasion abilities of EC109 were suppressed by ART. This was due to the inhibitory effect of ART on the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. The levels of β‐catenin, c‐myc, and survivin were also downregulated by ART. ART inhibits the proliferation of EC109 cells by arresting the cells in the G1‐phase of cell cycle. By using LiCl, an activator of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, we further verified that the inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway was indeed due to ART. Remarkably, ART enhanced the anticancer effects of OXA in EC109 cells. OXA combined with ART was found to be more efficient in decreasing tumor growth compared to the individual drugs. Conclusions ART could suppress tumor progression by inhibiting Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway, and it may also enhance the antitumor effect of OXA in EC. Thus, ART could be a novel anticancer drug for EC treatment. Key points Significant findings of the study ART could be a novel anticancer drug for esophageal cancer (EC) treatment. What this study adds Combination treatment with artemisinin and oxaliplatin inhibits tumorigenesis in esophageal cancer EC109 cells through the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.