Vitamin C enhances anticancer activity in methotrexate‑treated Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells

  • Authors:
    • Giou-Teng Yiang
    • Pei-Lun Chou
    • Yu-Ting Hung
    • Jen-Ni Chen
    • Wei-Jung Chang
    • Yung-Luen Yu
    • Chyou-Wei Wei
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 25, 2014     https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2014.3289
  • Pages: 1057-1063
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Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) has been widely used for rheumatoid arthritis therapy for a long time. MTX is also used as an anticancer drug for various tumors. However, many studies have shown that high-dose MTX treatment for cancer therapy may cause liver and renal damage. Alhough the mechanisms involved in MTX-induced liver and renal damage require further research, many studies have indicated that MTX-induced cytotoxicity is associated with increases in oxidative stress and caspase activation. In order to reduce MTX-induced side-effects and increase anticancer efficiency, currently, combination treatments of low-dose MTX and other anticancer drugs are considered and applied for various tumor treatments. The present study showed that MTX induces increases in H2O2 levels and caspase-9/-3 activation leading to cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma Hep3B cells. Importantly, this study is the first to demonstrate that vitamin C can efficiently aid low-dose MTX in inducing cell death in Hep3B cells. Therefore, the present study provides a possible powerful therapeutic method for tumors using a combined treatment of vitamin C and low-dose MTX.
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September-2014
Volume 32 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1021-335X
Online ISSN:1791-2431

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Spandidos Publications style
Yiang G, Chou P, Hung Y, Chen J, Chang W, Yu Y and Wei C: Vitamin C enhances anticancer activity in methotrexate‑treated Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Oncol Rep 32: 1057-1063, 2014
APA
Yiang, G., Chou, P., Hung, Y., Chen, J., Chang, W., Yu, Y., & Wei, C. (2014). Vitamin C enhances anticancer activity in methotrexate‑treated Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Oncology Reports, 32, 1057-1063. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2014.3289
MLA
Yiang, G., Chou, P., Hung, Y., Chen, J., Chang, W., Yu, Y., Wei, C."Vitamin C enhances anticancer activity in methotrexate‑treated Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells". Oncology Reports 32.3 (2014): 1057-1063.
Chicago
Yiang, G., Chou, P., Hung, Y., Chen, J., Chang, W., Yu, Y., Wei, C."Vitamin C enhances anticancer activity in methotrexate‑treated Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma cells". Oncology Reports 32, no. 3 (2014): 1057-1063. https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2014.3289