Anti-tumor activities of four chelating agents against human neuroblastoma cells

Iron deprivation may be a therapeutic strategy for cancer. It can be achieved by using iron chelators. In this investigation, anti-neuroblastoma activities of a novel ferric chelator 2LL together with DFO, EDTA and DTPA were evaluated.

SH-Sy5y cells were cultured at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2/95% air in DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum. The cells were seeded in 96-well microtiter plates overnight. Then, chelating agents were added into the wells. After 48-hour incubation, viabilities were measured using the MTT method.

DTPA had an IC50 value between 60-100 microM; DFO produced about 40% inhibiting effect at 150 microM; 2LL and EDTA displayed about 10% inhibiting effect at high concentrations.

For SH-Sy5y cells, DTPA showed the strongest inhibiting effect, DFO displayed a moderate inhibiting effect, while 2LL and EDTA produced minor inhibition. To develop iron chelators as powerful anti-cancer agents is still a challenging task.