RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Orlistat Reduces Proliferation and Enhances Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells (PANC-1) JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 6321 OP 6327 VO 37 IS 11 A1 EWA SOKOLOWSKA A1 MALGORZATA PRESLER A1 ELZBIETA GOYKE A1 RYSZARD MILCZAREK A1 JULIAN SWIERCZYNSKI A1 TOMASZ SLEDZINSKI YR 2017 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/37/11/6321.abstract AB Background/aim: Pancreatic cancer is a disease with very poor prognosis, and none of currently available pharmacotherapies have proven to be efficient in this indication. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) gene as a potential therapeutic target in proliferating human pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1), and verify if orlistat, originally developed as an anti-obesity drug, inhibits PANC-1 proliferation. Materials and Methods: The effects of orlistat on gene expression, lipogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis was studied in PANC-1 cell culture. Results: Expression of FASN increased during proliferation of PANC-1. Inhibition of FASN by orlistat resulted in a significant reduction of PANC-1 proliferation and enhanced apoptosis of these cells. Conclusion: This study showed, to our knowledge for the first time, that orlistat exhibits significant antitumor activity against PANC-1 cells. This implies that orlistat analogs with good oral bioavailability may find application in pharmacotherapy of pancreatic cancer.