Effects of cyclosporine and α-difluoromethylornithine on the growth of mouse colon cancer in vitro

Rami Saydjari, Courtney M. Townsend, Sam C. Barranco

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

The growth and survival of mouse (MC-26) colon carcinoma in vitro and in vivo are significantly reduced by inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis. α-Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), is a specific and irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC); the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis. DFMO treatment inhibits the growth of MC-26 colon cancer cells and decreases MC-26 cell survival both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we examined the effects of cyclosporine (CsA) on growth, survival, and effects on MC-26 colon cancer growth which were similar to DFMO; these effects were blocked by the addition of the polyamine, putrescine. The combination of CsA (8.3×10-4 mM) and DFMO (0.5 mM or 1.0 mM) inhibited MC-26 cell survival to a greater extent than either agent alone. These results suggest that CsA given in combination with other agents which inhibit polyamine synthesis may be useful for the treatment of colon cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)359-366
Number of pages8
JournalLife Sciences
Volume40
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 26 1987
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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