Reviewer’s report
Title: 
The inhibitory effect of curcumin via fascin suppression through
JAK/STAT3 pathway on metastasis and recurrence of ovary cancer cells.
Version: 
0 
Date: 
24 Jul 2020
Reviewer: 
Ibrahim A.
Reviewer's report:
Dear Respectable Editor 
Thank you to give me the opportunity to review the manuscript entitled (The
inhibitory effect of curcumin via fascin suppression through JAK/STAT3
pathway on metastasis and recurrence of ovary cancer cells.).
Authors mentioned that fascin is an actin-binding protein and highly expressed
in ovarian cancer cells. It is associated with metastasis of cancer and may be a
useful prognostic factor. Although there have been many reports regarding the
anticancer properties of curcumin, its inhibitory effects on migration and
invasion of ovarian cancer cells, particularly in the context of fascin expression,
have not been reported. The purpose of their study was to investigate the effect
of curcumin on fascin expression in ovarian cancer cells and to propose a
possible mechanism for the anticancer activity of curcumin through reduced
fascin expression.
They also mentioned that SKOV3, human epithelial ovary cancer cell line, was
cultured with curcumin at various dose and duration. The fascin was quantified
using cell viability test and Western blot. To determine the effect of curcumin on
the upstream pathway of fascin expression, the signal transducer and activator of
transcription 3 (STAT3) was analyzed by sandwich-ELISA. Attachment assay,
migration assay and invasion assay were analyzed to approve the change of
cellular invasiveness of ovary cancer after curcumin. 
Authors found that the MTS assays showed that cell viability was different at
various concentration of curcumin, and as concentration increased, cell viability
tended to decrease. Curcumin appears to suppress fascin expression, even with a
minimal concentration and short exposure time. Also, curcumin may suppress
fascin expression in ovarian cancer cells through STAT3 downregulation.
Immunofluorescence revealed a change of cell shape from a typical form of
uninfluenced cells to a more polygonal appearance, with a significant reduction
in filopodia formation.
Authors concluded that curcumin reduces fascin expression through
JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibition, which interferes with the cellular interactions
essential for the metastasis and recurrence of ovarian cancer cells. Higher
curcumin concentrations and longer exposure times concomitantly decreased
fascin expression.
In the introduction, authors explained the magnitude of the problem (ovarian
cancer is one of the most common neoplasms associated with a high mortality
rate among women worldwide. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are nonspecific
and vague in many cases, resulting in diagnosis at an advanced stage). 
At the end of the introduction they explained why their study was designed
(although there have been many reports regarding the anticancer properties of
curcumin, its inhibitory effects on migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells,
particularly in the context of fascin expression, have not been reported).
In the methodology section, authors presented their methods clearly including;
cell culture, cell viability assay, western blot analysis, sandwich ELISA,
attachment assay, migration assay, invasion assay, and immunofluorescence.
In the results section, authors presented the cell viability tests with respect to
curcumin concentration and exposure time (supported by figures 1 A and B),
curcumin suppresses fascin expression by STAT3 inhibition in ovarian cancer
cells (supported by their figures 2 A and B), suppression of fascin by curcumin
inhibits the migration, and invasion of cancer cells (supported by their figures 3-
5), and curcumin changes cell shape in ovary cancer cells by suppression of
fascin (supported by figure 6).
In the discussion section, authors started their discussion by the findings of
previous studies (recent studies have suggested that fascin is highly expressed in
ovarian cancer cells, it is associated with metastasis, and may be a prognostic
factor. High fascin expression in cancer is associated with worse prognosis and a
shorter disease-free interval).
And anti-cancer effect if curcumin (recent numerous studies revealed the anti-
cancer properties of curcumin involve the inhibition of cancer cell adhesion and
migration, which are essential for cancer cell survival. Its anticancer effect is
related to the attenuation of several signaling mechanisms, including the
inhibition of transcription factors, proteases, protein kinases, inflammatory
cytokines, and their respective signaling pathways (which explains why their
study was designed).
They also mentioned findings of other studies regarding the curcumin has
efficacy in the treatment of ovarian cancers (Koroth et al., Liu et al., McGuire et
al).
They explained their findings, and explained that at the present time, there are no
studies regarding the effects of curcumin and fascin in ovarian cancer.
Followed by their conclusion which reflects their results (curcumin reduces
fascin expression through JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibition, which interferes with
the cellular interactions essential for the metastasis, and recurrence of ovarian
cancer cells. Higher curcumin concentrations and longer exposure times
concomitantly decreased fascin expression).
Authors wrote clear conclusion, reflecting their results, and they used relevant
references.
The article can be accepted for publication without any suggested changes or
corrections from my side, because, the study presented original research. Authors
used standard methodology, clear figures, and statistical methods in their article.
Authors also used standard English, with clear conclusion reflecting their results.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
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Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
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Are the images in this manuscript (including electrophoretic gels and blots) free
from apparent manipulation?
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