Description of the cytotoxic effect of a novel drug Abietyl-Isothiocyanate on endometrial cancer cell lines.

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the in-vitro effect of Abietyl-Isothiocyanate (ABITC), a representative of a new class of anti-cancer drugs, on endometrial cancer (EC) cell lines. ABITC at concentrations ≥1 μM displayed dose-dependent and selective cytotoxicity to EC cell lines (ECC-1, AN3CA, RL95-2) in comparison to other cancer cell lines. After treatment with ABITC, ECC-1 unlike control cells displayed hallmark features of apoptosis including chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. At concentrations below the IC50, ABITC exerted anti-proliferative effects by blocking cell-cycle progression through G0/G1 and S-phase. In addition, cells attempted to counteract drug treatment by pro-survival signaling such as deactivation of JNK/SAPK and p38 MAPK and activation of AKT and ErK1/2. ABITC also altered EGF-receptor phosphorylation. At a concentration of 5 μM ABITC generated an excess amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and displayed pro-apoptotic signaling such as activation of caspase-8, JNK-SAPK and deactivation of PARP-1. Co-treatment with an antioxidant blocked the drug effects by reducing ROS generation, cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic signaling. In summary, novel isothiocyanate ABITC is an anti-proliferative and selectively cytotoxic drug to EC cells in-vitro. Key mechanisms during cell death are predominantly correlated to excess generation of ROS. We suggest the further development of ABITC as a potential therapeutic by studying the drug efficacy in EC in-vivo models.

• Authors: Timothy C Horan, Michael A Zompa, Christopher T Seto, Kyu Kwang Kim, Richard G Moore, Thilo S Lange
• Journal: Investigational new drugs (Invest New Drugs) Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 1460-70 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1573-0646 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21809024 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Abietanes
• Antineoplastic Agents
• Antioxidants
• Isothiocyanates
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• abietyl-isothiocyanate
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• Abietanes (chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antineoplastic Agents (chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Ascorbic Acid (pharmacology)
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Death (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Shape (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Drug Design
• Endometrial Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Intracellular Space (metabolism)
• Isothiocyanates (chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)