Hydroxytyrosol, a product from olive oil, reduces colon cancer growth by enhancing epidermal growth factor receptor degradation

Scope: We studied the effects and mechanism of 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenil)ethanol (or hydroxytyrosol, HT), a polyphenol from extra virgin olive oil, investigating the regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in colon tumour cells. Methods and results: We demonstrate that HT significantly downregulates EGFR expression in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells HT-29, CaCo2, and WiDr, and in HT-29 xenografts. HT accelerates EGFR degradation by reducing its half-life. Specifically, HT induces EGFR ubiquitination that is mediated by phosphorylation at pY1045, the docking site for Cbl, thereby enabling receptor ubiquitination and degradation. Pretreatment with either the lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine, or the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 blocks HT-induced EGFR downregulation. In colon cancer cells, EGFR downregulation by HT is associated with reduced cell proliferation. Tumour growth and EGFR expression levels are also decreased by HT treatment in HT-29 xenograft. Conclusion: We conclude that HT downregulates EGFR expression via lysosomal and proteasomal degradation, activated by HT-induced EGFR phosphorylation at pY1045 and increased Cbl activity. Cbl activation induces, in turn, EGFR ubiquitination. Our results reveal a new mechanism for HT's antitumour effects that may be important for colon tumour prevention and treatment. Hydroxytyrosol, HT, induces EGFR degradation in colon cancer cells. HT from extravirgin olive oil induces EGFR phosphorylation on tyr1045, cbl activation, and, consequently, EGFR degradation in colon cancer cells. Degradation of EGFR by HT is associated with reduced colon cancer cell proliferation and tumors in xenograft.