1,4-Naphthoquinone is a potent inhibitor of human cancer cell growth and angiogenesis.

Abstract

Angiogenesis inhibitors are beneficial for the prevention and treatment of angiogenesis-dependent diseases including cancer. Vitamin K2 and K3, which are naphthoquinone derivatives, inhibit angiogenesis. We examined the anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic effects of naphthoquinones and its structurally related compounds. Among these 13 compounds, 1,4-naphthoquinone strongly inhibited both human colon cancer cell (HCT116) growth and angiogenesis. To clarify the anti-angiogenic mechanism, the effects of 1,4-naphthoquinone on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation, proliferation and chemotaxis were examined. Consequently, 1,4-naphthoquinone inhibited HUVEC functions. These results suggest that 1,4-naphthoquinone may be useful to cancer therapy.

• Authors: Tomoko Kayashima, Masaharu Mori, Hiromi Yoshida, Yoshiyuki Mizushina, Kiminori Matsubara
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 278 Issue 1 Pg. 34-40 (Jun 08 2009) ISSN: 1872-7980 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 19168278 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Naphthoquinones
• 1,4-naphthoquinone

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor (drug effects)
• Chemotaxis (drug effects)
• Colonic Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Endothelium, Vascular (cytology, drug effects, physiology)
• Femoral Artery
• HeLa Cells (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Naphthoquinones (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (prevention & control)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Umbilical Veins (cytology, drug effects)