Effect of Chemotherapeutics and Tocopherols on MCF-7 Breast Adenocarcinoma and KGN Ovarian Carcinoma Cell LinesIn Vitro

Abstract

The combination of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide commonly used to treat breast cancer can cause premature ovarian failure and infertility.α-Tocopherol is a potent antioxidant whereasγ-tocopherol causes apoptosis in a variety of cancer modelsin vitroincluding breast cancer. We hypothesised that the combination of doxorubicin (Dox) and 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-Cyc) would be more cytotoxicin vitrothan each agent alone, and thatα-tocopherol would reduce andγ-tocopherol would augment the cytotoxicity of the combined chemotherapeutics. Human MCF-7 breast cancer and KGN ovarian cells were exposed to Dox, 4-Cyc, combined Dox and 4-Cyc,α-tocopherol,γ-tocopherol, or a combination of Dox and 4-Cyc withα-tocopherol orγ–tocopherol. Cell viability was assessed using a crystal violet assay according to four schedules: 24h exposure, 24h exposure + 24h culture in medium, 24h exposure + 48h culture in medium, or 72h continuous exposure. Supernatants from each separate KGN culture experiment (n=3) were examined using an estradiol ELISA. Dox was cytotoxic to both MCF-7 and KGN cells, but 4-Cyc only killed MCF-7 cells.γ-Tocopherol significantly decreased MCF-7 but not KGN cell viability. The combined chemotherapeutics andγ-tocopherol were more cytotoxic to MCF-7 than KGN cells, andα-tocopherol reduced the cytotoxicity of the combined chemotherapeutics towards KGN ovarian cells, but not MCF-7 cells. The addition of bothγ-tocopherol andα-tocopherol to the chemotherapeutic combination of Dox and cyclophosphamide has the potential to increasein vitrochemotherapeutic efficacy against breast cancer cells whilst decreasing cytotoxicity towards ovarian granulosa cells.