Curcumin suppresses growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Problem: To determine whether curcumin would trigger cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines CCL 23, CAL 27, UMSCC-1, and UMSCC-14 in a dose-dependent fashion. Methods: In-vitro studies included MTT assay and Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry of the HNSCC cells at 8 and 15 hours after treatment with curcumin. In vivo studies were done on HNSCC xenograft tumors grown in nude mice, using curcumin paste applied topically to the tumors daily for 4 weeks. Results: CCL23 cell lines had dose-dependent reduction in cell viability following treatment with curcumin, with nearly 100% cell survival at 100 μM and less than 5% survival at 300 μM. CAL27 cell lines showed reduction of cell viability beginning at 60 μM, and 0% survival at 300 μM. UMSCC-1 cell lines showed reduction in cell viability from 70% at 100 μM to 0% at 200 μM, at both 8 and 15 hours after treatment. UMSCC-14A cell lines showed similar sensitivity, with an average 40% reduction in viability beginning at 100 μM and 0% survival at 200 μM. Flow cytometry demonstrated early and late apoptosis with the curcumin-treated CCL23 and CAL27 cells. The xenograft tumors exhibited more than 50% decrease in size with the curcumin/saline paste. Conclusion: Curcumin has a direct effect on CCL23, CAL27, UMSCC-1, and UMSCC-14, reducing viability in both cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, curcumin/saline paste had a significant suppressive effect on HNSCC xenograft tumors, confirming curcumin’s anti-tumor properties in vivo. Significance: To determine whether curcumin would trigger cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Support: None reported.