In 2022, the Cancer Research Center at the University of Heidelberg conducted a study on the effects of sulforaphane on colorectal cancer cells.
Abstract: This article explores whether sulforaphane can aid in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). The study revealed that sulforaphane could enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapy (FOLFOX), which consists of 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and folinic acid, without causing significant side effects.
The results showed that sulforaphane, both alone and in combination with FOLFOX, effectively reduces the viability of cancer cells, promotes their death (apoptosis), and prevents the formation of new cancer spheroids (small clusters of cancer cells). However, it may also increase the levels of certain proteins associated with treatment resistance. Overall, sulforaphane combined with FOLFOX could be beneficial in combating colorectal cancer.
Introduction:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant diseases worldwide. Patients with CRC may require chemotherapy (CTx) in neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or palliative settings during the course of their disease. Unfortunately, its effectiveness is often limited by chemoresistance and chemotoxicity. Developing new, more effective, and less toxic CTx regimens is crucial to improving CRC treatment outcomes.
This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the non-toxic compound sulforaphane (SF) is effective against CRC and has additive effects when combined with conventional chemotherapy (FOLFOX) in vitro. Highly metastatic human colorectal cancer cells (CX-1) and fibroblasts were treated with FOLFOX ± SF. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay.
The levels of apoptosis and expression of apoptotic proteins were measured using TUNEL assay and quantitative PCR analysis. The levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) isoform and multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) were also evaluated. The cells’ ability to form spheroids was tested in a 3D cell culture. Sulforaphane, both alone and in combination with FOLFOX, effectively reduced the viability of CX-1 cells, promoted apoptosis, inhibited spheroid formation, and decreased ALDH1 activity. However, SF also increased MRP2 protein levels. In conclusion, SF combined with FOLFOX has additive anticancer effects against highly metastatic human CRC in vitro.
Materials and Methods:
Cell Lines and Drugs
Highly metastatic human colorectal cancer cells (CX-1) and human skin fibroblasts were used for experiments. The cells were cultured at 37 °C in 5% CO2 in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium-high glucose supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and streptomycin/penicillin.
5-FU, folinic acid, and oxaliplatin were combined in a 2:20:1 ratio at concentrations of 0.4, 4, and 0.2 µM, respectively. The SF solution was prepared in ethanol. Experimental methods included the MTT assay, RT-qPCR, TUNEL assay, spheroid test, ALDH1 activity assay, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v.25.0.
CONCLUSION: Sulforaphane, when combined with conventional FOLFOX, exhibits additive anticancer effects against highly metastatic human CRC in vitro.
