Chondroitin sulphate enhances the antitumor activity of gemcitabine and mitomycin-C in bladder cancer cells with different mechanisms

Abstract

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer is the most common type of bladder cancer in Western countries.

The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer at the bladder surface non-specifically blocks the adherence of bacteria, ions and molecules to the bladder epithelium and bladder cancer cells express CD44 that binds GAG.

Currently, there are few options other than cystectomy for the management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with intravesical chemotherapy using several drugs such as gemcitabine (GEM) and mitomycin-C (MMC) with poor prophylactic activity.

In this study, we investigated the effects of the GAG chondroitin sulphate (CS) on the growth inhibition of human bladder cancer cell lines HT-1376 and effects of the combination between GEM or MMC with CS. We have found that CS, MMC and GEM induced 50% growth inhibition at 72 h. Therefore, we have evaluated the growth inhibition induced by different concentration of CS in combination with MMC or GEM, respectively, at 72 h. We have observed, at Calcusyn analysis, a synergism when HT-1376 cells were treated with CS in combination with MMC or GEM, respectively, if used at an equimolar ratio. We have also found that CS/GEM combination induced a strong potentiation of apoptosis with the consequent activation of caspases 9 and 3. On the other hand, HT-1376 cells were necrotic if exposed to the CS/MMC combination and no signs of caspase activation was observed.

In conclusion, in the human bladder cancer cell line HT-1376 pharmacological combination of CS with GEM or MMC resulted in a strong synergism on cell growth inhibition.

 

About this publication.

See also:

- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

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- The Di Bella Method (A Variable Part - Chondroitin sulfate, up to 3-4 grams per day, orally);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Cyclophosphamide 50mg tablets and/or Hydroxyurea 500mg tablets, one or two per day);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Bromocriptine and/or Cabergoline);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Dihydrotachysterol, Alfacalcidol, synthetic Vitamin D3);

- Vitamin D (analogues and/or derivatives) and cancer - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Somatostatin, Octreotide, Sandostatin LAR, analogues and/or derivatives);

- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- Publication, 2018 Jul: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2018 Sep: The over-expression of GH/GHR in tumour tissues with respect to healthy ones confirms its oncogenic role and the consequent oncosuppressor role of its physiological inhibitor, somatostatin: a review of the literature (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Aug: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of Somatostatin and Vitamin C on the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Cancer Cell Membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of somatostatin, curcumin, and quercetin on the fatty acid profile of breast cancer cell membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);

- Publication, 2020 Sep: Two neuroendocrine G protein-coupled receptor molecules, somatostatin and melatonin: Physiology of signal transduction and therapeutic perspectives (from Di Bella's Foundation);

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