Imperatorin attenuates proliferation of MCF-7 Cells in combination with Radiotherapy or Hyperthermia.

Abstract

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate possible sensitization effect of imperatorin (IMP) for radiotherapy and hyperthermia (HT). BACKGROUND Breast cancer is one of the most common types of malignancies in the world. Cancer resistance is an unavoidable consequence of therapy with radiation or other modalities. Numerous researches aimed at improving cancer response to therapy are ongoing. OBJECTIVE Thus, in this study, we investigated the potential sensitizing effect of IMP in combination with external radiotherapy (ERT) or HT. METHOD After treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IMP, cells were exposed to 4 Gy X-rays or HT (42 °C for 1 hour). The viability of MCF-7 cells was measured using MTT assay. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic genes including Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 were investigated using real-time PCR. The sensitizing effect of IMP in combination with ERT or HT was calculated and compared to ERT or HT alone. RESULTS Results showed an increase in the expression of pro-apoptotic genes and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 following ERT and HT. Furthermore, cell viability reduced following these treatments. IMP was able to augment these effects of ERT and HT. CONCLUSION IMP could increase the efficiency of HT and ERT. This effect of IMP may suggest it as an adjuvant for increasing the therapeutic efficiency of ERT.