Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2019
Digoxin inhibits neuroblastoma tumor growth in mice
Asa Svensson1, Faranak Azarbayjani, Ulrika Bäckman
1Department of Medical Cell Biology, Children's Hospital, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Background:
Epidemiological data suggest a more favorable outcome of breast carcinoma in women taking cardiac glycosides. This study investigated whether digoxin could inhibit tumor growth in mice.
Materials And Methods:
Tumor growth experiments were done in mice grafted with the neuroblastoma cell lines SH-SY5Y, Neuro-2a, colonic cancer cells (LS174T) or Lewis lung cancer cells (LLC). Angiogenesis inhibition was investigated in vitro on fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-stimulated bovine endothelial cell (BCE) growth and in vivo in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Results:
SH-SY5Y and Neuro-2a grafts were inhibited by 44% (p=0.008) and 19% (p=0.007), respectively, whereas the colonic cancer xenografts and LLC syngrafts were less responsive. The neuroblastoma specificity was confirmed in vitro. Digoxin also inhibited angiogenesis in the CAM assay and the BCE cell survival in vitro was 50% at 53 ng/ml.
Conclusion:
Our data suggest that digoxin may be a specific neuroblastoma growth inhibitor and an unspecific inhibitor of angiogenesis.
Insights
Digoxin demonstrated significant inhibition of neuroblastoma tumor growth in mice. This cardiac glycoside also showed potential as an inhibitor of angiogenesis, suggesting dual therapeutic possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies indicate a potential benefit of cardiac glycosides in breast carcinoma outcomes.
- This research explores the anti-tumorigenic effects of digoxin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of digoxin in inhibiting tumor growth in a murine model.
- To assess digoxin's impact on angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Tumor growth was evaluated in mice bearing human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y, Neuro-2a), colonic cancer (LS174T), or Lewis lung cancer (LLC) cell lines.
- Angiogenesis was assessed using in vitro assays with bovine endothelial cells stimulated by fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and an in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Main Results:
- Digoxin significantly inhibited SH-SY5Y (44% reduction) and Neuro-2a (19% reduction) neuroblastoma grafts.
- Colonic cancer and Lewis lung cancer xenografts showed less responsiveness to digoxin.
- Digoxin demonstrated anti-angiogenic properties in the CAM assay and inhibited bovine endothelial cell survival in vitro (IC50 = 53 ng/ml).
Conclusions:
- Digoxin exhibits specific inhibitory effects on neuroblastoma tumor growth.
- The findings suggest digoxin acts as a non-specific inhibitor of angiogenesis.
