Cytotoxic, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects of curcumin based on thioredoxin system inhibition in breast cancer cells: 2D vs. 3D cell culture system

  • Authors:
    • Shaymaa Essam El Feky
    • Magda Abdel Ghany Megahed
    • Nadia Ahmed Abd El Moneim
    • Ebtsam Rizq Zaher
    • Shadwa Ahmed Khamis
    • Lamiaa Mohamed Ahmed Ali
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 18, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9937
  • Article Number: 506
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Abstract

Targeting the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase (Trx/TrxR) system is a promising strategy to overcome cancer resistance to conventional therapy. The present study investigated the effect of curcumin on the Trx/TrxR system either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, or radiotherapy in human MCF‑7 breast cancer cells seeded in 2 and 3D culture systems. Cell viability, thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) activity, and the genetic expression of Trx, TrxR1, Bcl2 and BAX genes were studied. The findings showed that the mode of culture significantly affected the response of cancer cells to different treatment modalities, as well as their gene expression patterns. Curcumin treatment resulted in a reduction of breast cancer cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis, an effect that may be mediated by manipulating Trx system components, mainly Trx expression, and to a lesser extent TrxR1 expression and concentration. Furthermore, curcumin increased the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy by reducing Trx and TrxR1 expression levels. Thus, curcumin may have a potential role as a dose‑modifying agent that can be used either to sensitize resistant cells to therapy or to reduce the dose of these therapeutic agents.
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May-2021
Volume 21 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
El Feky SE, Megahed MA, Abd El Moneim NA, Zaher ER, Khamis SA and Ali LM: Cytotoxic, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects of curcumin based on thioredoxin system inhibition in breast cancer cells: 2D vs. 3D cell culture system. Exp Ther Med 21: 506, 2021
APA
El Feky, S.E., Megahed, M.A., Abd El Moneim, N.A., Zaher, E.R., Khamis, S.A., & Ali, L.M. (2021). Cytotoxic, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects of curcumin based on thioredoxin system inhibition in breast cancer cells: 2D vs. 3D cell culture system. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 21, 506. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9937
MLA
El Feky, S. E., Megahed, M. A., Abd El Moneim, N. A., Zaher, E. R., Khamis, S. A., Ali, L. M."Cytotoxic, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects of curcumin based on thioredoxin system inhibition in breast cancer cells: 2D vs. 3D cell culture system". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 21.5 (2021): 506.
Chicago
El Feky, S. E., Megahed, M. A., Abd El Moneim, N. A., Zaher, E. R., Khamis, S. A., Ali, L. M."Cytotoxic, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects of curcumin based on thioredoxin system inhibition in breast cancer cells: 2D vs. 3D cell culture system". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 21, no. 5 (2021): 506. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.9937