Abstract
SummaryIntroduction. Zerumbone is a phytochemical compound of the ginger plant Zingiber zerumbet with cytotoxic effects in various cancer cell lines. To date, zerumbone has shown an antiproliferative effect in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells lines. However, the effect of combination with radiation or cisplatin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zerumbone alone, and in combination with irradiation and cisplatin on HNSCC cell lines. Methods. The three HNSCC cell lines SCC25, Cal27 and FaDu were treated with zerumbone, radiation and/or cisplatin. Cell viability and clonogenic assays were performed. The interaction between zerumbone and radiation or cisplatin was evaluated using the combination index. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and cell migration was assessed using a wound healing assay. Results. Treatment with zerumbone resulted in a dose dependent induction of cytotoxicity and apoptosis in all three cell lines. The combination with cisplatin revealed a synergistic to additive effect in Cal27. The clonogenic assay showed a significant radiosensitizing effect in all three cell lines. The wound healing assay showed a reduction of cell migration in Cal27. Conclusion. The natural compound zerumbone shows a cytotoxic and proapoptotic effect on HNSCC cell lines. Furthermore, zerumbone enhances the radiation effect in all three cell lines and thus may be a suitable candidate for combination therapy in HNSCC.
Highlights
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with an incidence of approximately 900.000 new cases per year [1]
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zerumbone in the HNSCC cell lines SCC25, Cal27 and FaDu especially in combination with cisplatin and irradiation
Zerumbone leads to inhibition of cell viability
Summary
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with an incidence of approximately 900.000 new cases per year [1]. The average 5-year survival rate of HNSCC is 66%, but strongly depends on the tumor stage and location [1,2,3]. The identification of suitable new substances is required which show antiproliferative effects and ideally help to improve radio- and chemotherapy. The advantage of natural products is that they often interact with multiple targets. They are more promising to show an effect in the dysregulated tumor cell state with alterations in hundreds of genes. They are generally safer to use, less expensive and more accessible [6]
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