by RUDN University biochemists have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against cancer by discovering a method to prevent cancer cells from developing resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Their research, which focuses on the resistance mechanism in ovarian cancer cells, offers a promising solution to the growing problem of chemotherapy resistance. The findings were recently published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Chemotherapy remains a crucial treatment option for cancer patients, and one of the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs is cisplatin, which contains platinum. It has proven to be effective in treating sarcomas and various malignant tumors. However, a major drawback of cisplatin treatment is the gradual emergence of resistance in tumor cells, rendering the drug less effective over time. The biochemists from RUDN University have now found a way to overcome this resistance, specifically in ovarian cancer cells.
In previous studies, the researchers at RUDN University discovered that cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer cells is influenced by the overexpression of certain genes. They also found that quercetin, a flavonoid compound, can reduce the effects of this overexpression. Building on these findings, the biochemists hypothesized that pre-treating cancer cells with quercetin before administering cisplatin could help prevent the development of resistance. To test this, they conducted experiments on the SKOV-3/CDDP ovarian cancer cell line.
The results were remarkable. Preincubation of the tumor cells with quercetin prior to exposure to cisplatin significantly improved the outcomes. After 48 hours of preincubation with the optimal dose of 60 micromoles, the proportion of surviving cancer cells decreased to approximately 25% when subjected to cisplatin for another 48 hours. In comparison, without the preincubation of quercetin, the proportion of surviving cancer cells was around 80%.
The in vitro data clearly show that quercetin enhances the sensitivity of cisplatin-resistant cells. To validate this finding, further studies are required using other cell lines that are not only resistant to cisplatin but also to other anticancer drugs. The next step will involve conducting experiments to confirm the effect of preincubation with quercetin in vivo, which will help evaluate its potential for eliminating resistance to cisplatin in tumor cells. Elena Kalinina, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Professor of the Department of Biochemistry at RUDN University, stated that the goal is to assess the effectiveness of this approach in real-life scenarios.
These groundbreaking findings offer hope in the battle against cancer and may lead to the development of new strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance. By understanding the underlying mechanisms and utilizing compounds like quercetin, researchers can potentially enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and improve patient outcomes. However, further research is needed to validate these findings and explore their application in clinical settings. With continued efforts in the field of biochemistry and oncology, we can strive towards more effective and targeted cancer treatments.
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- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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