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In Vitro Assessment of the Synergistic Effect of Aspirin and 5-Fluorouracil in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells

Authors :
Monica Susan
Ioana Macasoi
Iulia Pinzaru
Cristina Dehelean
Iosif Ilia
Razvan Susan
Ioana Ionita
Source :
Current Oncology, Vol 30, Iss 7, Pp 6197-6219 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Although remarkable progress has been made, colorectal cancer remains a significant global health issue. One of the most challenging aspects of cancer treatment is the resistance of tumor cells to classical chemotherapy. Conventional therapy for colorectal cancer often involves the use of 5-fluorouracil as a chemotherapeutic agent. Aspirin, a drug used primarily to prevent cardiovascular complications, became a focus of attention due to its potential use as an antitumor agent. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential synergistic cytotoxic effects of aspirin and 5-fluorouracil on colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. The viability of cells, the impact on the morphology and nuclei of cells, the potential antimigratory effect, and the impact on the expression of the major genes associated with cell apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, Bad), as well as caspases 3 and 8, were evaluated. The results indicated that the two compounds exerted a synergistic effect, causing a reduction in cell viability accompanied by changes characteristic of the apoptosis process—the condensation of nuclei and the reorganization of actin filaments in cells, the reduction in the expression of the Bcl-2 gene, and the increase in the expression of Bax and Bad genes, along with caspases 3 and 8. Considering all these findings, it appears that aspirin may be investigated in depth in order to be used in conjunction with 5-fluorouracil to increase antitumor activity.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17187729 and 11980052
Volume :
30
Issue :
7
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Current Oncology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f0e9a6bb09564008ac6579755c7099c0
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30070460