Synergistic anticancer activity of disulfiram/copper against mouse lymphoma cells

Abstract

Disulfiram (DSF) is a marketed drug to treat patients with alcohol dependence by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase. Over the last few decades, DSF has been shown to have anticancer effects through different mechanisms. Moreover, this effect can be elevated when used with copper (Cu). Subsequent studies have been conducted on various cancers, but few on lymphoma. This study investigated the anticancer effects of DSF on lymphoma and how this effect changed when treated with Cu. DSF synergistically decreased the metabolic activity of EL4 lymphoma cells when combined with Cu. At 1 µM of DSF alone, the metabolic activity of EL4 cells decreased by 49% compared to the control, whereas it decreased by 87% with a DSF + CuCl2 treatment. Rhodamine 123 and 2',7'–dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining showed that DSF induced the reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted the production of reactive oxygen species. In particular, the combined treatment of DSF + Cu induced cell death based on multiple assays, including annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining. Overall, DSF has anticancer effects on lymphoma cells and exhibits synergistic effects when combined with Cu. This study provides some valuable information to broaden the use of DSF in clinics and basic research.