Agave negatively regulates YAP and TAZ transcriptionally and post-translationally in osteosarcoma cell lines

Book excerpt: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most aggressive type of primary solid tumor that develops in bone. Whilst conventional chemotherapy can improve survival rates, the outcome for patients with metastatic or recurrent OS remains poor, so novel treatment agents and strategies are required. Previously published works indicate that Agave exhibits anticancer properties. In the present study, anticancer effects of Agave leaf extract were investigated in the OS cells, discovering that Agave inhibits cell growth and cell migration, and sensitizes OS cells to cisplatin (CDDP), to overcome chemoresistance. Agave’s mechanisms of action include an initial process in which Agave induces YAP/TAZ oncogenic protein degradation, followed by a secondary event whereby Agave inhibits YAP/TAZ transcription through NF-κB p65:p50 heterodimers deregulation. Winner of the Competition “Prize for PhD Thesis 2020” arranged by Sapienza University Press.