Abstract 4431: Cytotoxic effects of the Jamaican yam tuber in hormone-sensitive cancers and its potential use in green nanotechnology formulation

Abstract

Abstract Historically, plant materials have been widely explored for their anti-proliferative effects against a variety of cancer cells, with many of them proving to be very effective. Additionally, their efficacy has been seen in the specific field of targeted cancer therapy. The use of plants for therapeutic purposes in place of or with traditional medicine is collectively referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (C.A.M). Several Jamaican Yam species have shown to be useful as C.A.M in the treatment of certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and cancer. Hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer are the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and when combined, is the leading cause of cancer related deaths among the Jamaican populace. These statistics unfortunately, are also reflected in the wider Caribbean region. Currently treatment involves: surgery, radiation and androgen deprivation therapy; however, there are some cases in which mutation causes further growth of the cancer cells regardless of treatment. As such, there still remains a dire need of a more effective and lasting therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the antiproliferative effects of yam material and to also deduce a possible mechanism of action in an effort to formulate a means of targeted therapy. The results showed that an alcoholic extract of the Jamaican yam tuber (Dioscorea spp.) demonstrated anti-proliferative effects in androgen insensitive prostate cancer cell lines (IC50 of 18 ppm, 95% C.I. 24-33ppm) and invasive breast cancer cell lines (IC 50 of 28 ppm, 95% C.I 36-54ppm). Western blot assays also indicated that cell death was possibly induced through the cell cycle regulatory protein, cyclin D. The antiproliferative effects and purported mechanism of action of the yam extract against some hormone-sensitive cancer cells makes it an ideal alternative for the formulation of green nanotechnology for targeted therapy. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Sasha-gay A. Wright. Cytotoxic effects of the Jamaican yam tuber in hormone-sensitive cancers and its potential use in green nanotechnology formulation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4431.