Notably, the expression of IGFBP2, known for its role in regulating cancer cell proliferation and metastasis,34–36 was significantly downregulated after combined treatment in H23 and A549 cells (Fig. 4c, d), which was also confirmed in A549- and H460-derived xenograft tumor models (Fig. 4e). Here, IGFBP2 is linked to neoplasm.