Abstract

Many chemotherapeutic agents with a potential against solid tumors or leukemia can cause lymphopenia. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a synthetic non-steroidal anti-estrogen drug employed in female breast cancer treatment. The present study investigated the capacity of TAM to induce cell death in human lymphocytes cultivated in vitro. Lymphocytes were obtained from young (25-30 years; n = 3) and elderly women (58-77 years; n = 3) and cultivated for 24 or 48h, with or without TAM (20 µM). After the culture, cell viability, immunocytochemical response and ultrastructure were evaluated. TAM affected lymphocytes in a time- dependent manner, and cells obtained from elderly women were the most sensitive to TAM. Immunocytochemical analysis evidenced higher frequency of apoptosis in treated cells, and the ultrastructural study revealed autophagic vacuoles, differing from the controls. In summary, the treated lymphocytes were affected by TAM, leading to cell death by apoptosis and autophagy.

Highlights

  • Some drugs have a chemotherapeutic potential in relation to tumors or leukemia, due to reduced cell proliferation and a higher cell death rate

  • Tamoxifen has been clinically used as a chemotherapeutic drug against breast cancer, and its potential to induce cell death in various cell types is still unclear

  • The present study is the first to show the morphological aspects of TAM-induced cell death in human lymphocytes cultivated in vitro

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Summary

Introduction

Some drugs have a chemotherapeutic potential in relation to tumors or leukemia, due to reduced cell proliferation and a higher cell death rate Many of these agents, despite their therapeutic potential, can present severe cytotoxic effects in normal tissues, which lead to side effects observed during chemotherapy, such as mucositis, hair loss, myelosuppression. Chemotherapy can induce acute lymphopenia and chronic depletion of CDT 4 cells, resulting in a higher susceptibility to opportunistic infections (STAHNKE et al, 2001). These side effects seem to be more severe in the elderly patient population (BALDUCCI; CORCORAN, 2000; LICHTMAN; VILANI, 2000).

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