Toxicological effects of NCKU-21, a phenanthrene derivative, on cell growth and migration of A549 and CL1-5 human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Our results suggest that NCKU-21 can effectively reduce cell migration and induce apoptosis in A549 and CL1-5 cells, the toxicological effects of which may be partly modulated through PI3K-AKT inhibition, AMPK activation, an increase in the p53 protein, and gelatinase inhibition.