Alkyl-phospholipid mediated cytotoxic and cytostatic effects in liver cancer cells

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a prevalent cancer in the world. Due to limited therapeutic options, this malignancy is causing substantial morbidity and mortality world-wide. Alkyl-phospholipids (ALPs) are synthetic lipids and comprise a promising class of anticancer compounds. Erufosine is the latest available generation of this class and has shown anti-tumor effects against a variety of cancer cell lines. This study was designed to uncover its cytotoxic and gene expression modulations by erufosine in liver cancer cells.

Methods: Human liver cancer secondary cell line (HepG2) was cultured and exposed to erufosine. Afterwards, cytotoxic effects were monitored via MTT assay. Following the exposure with the compound, gene expression analysis of cell cycle related genes (CCNA1, CCNA2, and CCND1) was performed by using real-time PCR methodology.

Results: Erufosine demonstrated substantial cytotoxicity in liver cancer cells with increased cell death at higher concentrations and longer exposure intervals. Erufosine imposed discrete expression modifications in the selected genes, where CCNA1 and CCND1 genes were up-regulated while CCNA2 was down-regulated in response to the treatment.

Conclusion: Erufosine is a significant anticancer compound and needs further attention to translate it as a medicine.