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

Invest New Drugs. 2012 Aug;30(4):1460-70. doi: 10.1007/s10637-011-9728-z. Epub 2011 Aug 2.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abietanes / chemistry
  • Abietanes / pharmacology
  • Abietanes / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / 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*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Space / metabolism
  • Isothiocyanates / chemistry
  • Isothiocyanates / pharmacology
  • Isothiocyanates / therapeutic use*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

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