Research Article

Dual Role of Colchicine in Glioblastoma: miR-22-3p-Dependent Regulation of Wound Healing and Proliferation

Volume: 12 Number: 1 March 4, 2026
EN TR

Dual Role of Colchicine in Glioblastoma: miR-22-3p-Dependent Regulation of Wound Healing and Proliferation

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: The downregulation of miR-22-3p in glioblastoma (GBM) tissues and cells has been shown to plays a critical role in gliomagenesis and patient prognosis. However, the effects of colchicine on GBM cellular functions via miR-22-3p mediated mechanisms remain unexplored. This study aims to investigate the effects of colchicine on GBM cell behavior through miR-22-3p-mediated mechanisms. Methods: miR-22-3p expression levels were quantified in U87 GBM cells treated with 1, 10, and 100 ng/ml colchicine using qRT-PCR. Cell viability and drug resistance were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay across four groups: temozolomide (TMZ) treated or untreated (i) U87 cells (control), (ii) U87 cells treated with 10 ng/ml colchicine, (iii) U87 cells transfected with a miR-22-3p inhibitor, and (iv) U87 cells transfected with a miR-22-3p inhibitor and 10 ng/ml colchicine. Colony formation was analyzed, migration was assessed using a transwell assay, and wound healing capacity was evaluated via scratch assay, all in U87 cells treated with 10 ng/ml colchicine. Results: Colchicine at 10 ng/ml significantly upregulated miR-22-3p expression. Inhibition of miR-22-3p reversed the colchicine-induced reduction in cell viability and colony formation. Neither colchicine nor miR-22-3p affected the resistance of U87 cells to TMZ. Colchicine reduced U87 cell migration independently of miR-22-3p, while its effect on wound healing was dependent on miR-22-3p expression. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that colchicine modulates miR-22-3p expression and influences key GBM cell functions. These findings provide a preliminary evidence supporting the potential of colchicine as a therapeutic agent in glioblastoma treatment.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Akdeniz University

Project Number

TSA-2023-6367

Ethical Statement

In this in vitro study entitled ‘Dual Role of Colchicine in Glioblastoma: miR-22-3p-Dependent Regulation of Wound Healing and Proliferation’, we used a commercially available U87 cell line, and no human or animal subjects were involved. Therefore, ethics committee approval was not required. However, all experimental procedures were conducted in accordance with ethical standards and guidelines to ensure the integrity and ethical compliance of the research.

References

  1. 1. Wen PY, Kesari S. Malignant gliomas in adults. N Engl J Med 2008; 359(5):492-507.
  2. 2. Marenco-Hillembrand L, Wijesekera O, Suarez-Meade P, Mampre D, Jackson C, Peterson J, Trifiletti D, Hammack J, Ortiz K, Lesser E, Spiegel M, Prevatt C, Hawayek M, Quinones-Hinojosa A, Chaichana KL. Trends in glioblastoma: outcomes over time and type of intervention: a systematic evidence based analysis. J Neurooncol 2020; 147(2):297-307.
  3. 3. Jain KK. A Critical Overview of Targeted Therapies for Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2018; 8:419.
  4. 4. Tan AC, Ashley DM, Lopez GY, Malinzak M, Friedman HS, Khasraw M. Management of glioblastoma: State of the art and future directions. CA Cancer J Clin 2020; 70(4):299-312.
  5. 5. Weng H, Li J, Zhu H, Carver Wong KF, Zhu Z, Xu J. An update on the recent advances and discovery of novel tubulin colchicine binding inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2023; 15(1):73-95.
  6. 6. Dumontet C, Jordan MA. Microtubule-binding agents: a dynamic field of cancer therapeutics. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2010; 9(10):790-803.
  7. 7. Rubicondo M, Ciardelli G, Mattu C, Tuszynski JA. Recent advancements in colchicine derivatives: Exploring synthesis, activities, and nanoformulations for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Drug Discov Today 2025; 30(3):104312.
  8. 8. Lu Y, Chen J, Xiao M, Li W, Miller DD. An overview of tubulin inhibitors that interact with the colchicine binding site. Pharm Res 2012; 29(11):2943-71.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cancer Cell Biology , Gene and Molecular Therapy

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 4, 2026

Submission Date

August 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 29, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

Vancouver
1.Sevil Köse, Özlenen Özkan, Ömer Özkan. Dual Role of Colchicine in Glioblastoma: miR-22-3p-Dependent Regulation of Wound Healing and Proliferation. Akd Med J. 2026 Mar. 1;12(1). doi:10.53394/akd.1758700