Leflunomide suppresses growth in human medullary thyroid cancer cells.
J Surg Res
; 185(1): 212-6, 2013 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23816245
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumor that arises from the calcitonin-secreting parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland. Leflunomide (LFN) is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and its active metabolite teriflunomide has been identified as a potential anticancer drug. In this study we investigated the ability of LFN to similarly act as an anticancer drug by examining the effects of LFN treatment on MTC cells.METHODS:
Human MTC-TT cells were treated with LFN (25-150 µmol/L) and Western blotting was performed to measure levels of neuroendocrine markers. MTT assays were used to assess the effect of LFN treatment on cellular proliferation.RESULTS:
LFN treatment downregulated neuroendocrine markers ASCL1 and chromogranin A. Importantly, LFN significantly inhibited the growth of MTC cells in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSIONS:
Treatment with LFN decreased neuroendocrine tumor marker expression and reduced the cell proliferation in MTC cells. As the safety of LFN in human beings is well established, a clinical trial using this drug to treat patients with advanced MTC may be warranted.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide
/
Carcinoma Medular
/
Isoxazóis
/
Antineoplásicos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Surg Res
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article