Dictamnine Inhibits WNT Pathway and EMT Progression in Prostate Cancer and Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the anti-prostate cancer mechanism of dictamnine (DIC), focusing on its potential to reverse EMT via DKK1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin inhibition and modulate the tumor microenvironment.

METHODS

Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8, colony formation, EdU, wound healing, and Transwell assays. Key targets were identified via transcriptomics and bioinformatics, and validated through molecular docking, co-immunoprecipitation, and cellular thermal shift assay. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. Gain/loss-of-function and rescue experiments confirmed target roles. A subcutaneous xenograft model and immunohistochemistry were used for in vivo validation.

RESULTS

DIC suppresses prostate cancer malignancy in a concentration-dependent manner. The primary mechanism involves its direct binding to and stabilization of DKK1, which enhances DKK1's interaction with LRP6. This upregulation of DKK1 inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, downregulating downstream targets β-catenin/c-Myc/Cyclin D1, and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Additionally, DIC modulates key tumor microenvironment factors, including VEGF-A, MMP-9, IL-11, and CXCL-12. Overexpression of DKK1 mimics the antitumor effects of DIC, while knockdown of DKK1 attenuates them. In vivo, DIC inhibits tumor growth, an effect partly mediated through the DKK1/β-catenin axis. Furthermore, DIC potently suppresses angiogenesis (reduced CD31+ staining) independently of DKK1. It also increases tumor-associated macrophage infiltration (elevated F4/80+ cells) in a DKK1-independent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

DIC exerts its core antitumor effects by targeting DKK1 to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling and EMT. Additionally, it independently suppresses angiogenesis and remodels the immune tumor microenvironment. This multi-level mechanism positions DIC as a promising lead compound for prostate cancer therapy.