{
  "id": 2563324,
  "title": "Combined effect of baicalein and thermal-cycling stimulation on suppressing non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells under CoCl2-induced hypoxia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/combined-effect-of-baicalein-and-thermal-cycling-stimulation-on",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-14T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.11.744169v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the most common form of lung cancer, responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths worldwide. A hallmark of NSCLC is tumor hypoxia, which enables tumor growth and renders the cancer resistant to oxidative stress via the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1). To explore potential therapeutic strategies, researchers examined the combined effects of baicalein (Bai), a natural flavonoid, and thermal-cycling stimulation (TCS), a physical treatment that avoids harming healthy cells, in A549 NSCLC cells exposed to cobalt (II) chloride (CoCl2)-induced hypoxia.\n\nUnder hypoxic conditions, the simultaneous administration of Bai and TCS led to a significant reduction in A549 cell viability and triggered apoptosis. Importantly, this combined therapy showed minimal toxicity towards IMR-90 normal human lung fibroblast cells. Mechanistically, Bai and TCS worked together to suppress HIF-1 and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) protein expression, increase intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and impair DNA repair by lowering MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) protein levels. Furthermore, the treatment disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential and elevated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, both of which are indicators of apoptosis.\n\nThe combined impact of Bai and TCS suggests a promising synergistic approach to combating NSCLC under hypoxic conditions, offering a potential new avenue for cancer treatment.",
  "summary": "Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) representing the most prevalent subtype. Tumor hypoxia is a characteristic feature of the neoplastic microenvironment in NSCLC, facilitating tumor progression and conferring resistance to oxidative stress through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1).…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}