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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
Alpha-tocopheryl succinate alters cell cycle distribution sensitising human osteosarcoma cells to
Renata Alleva1, Maria Serena Benassi, Laura Pazzaglia
1Department of Anesthesiology, IRCCS Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Via Pupilli, 40136 Bologna, Italy. renalle@libero.it
Abstract:
alpha-Tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) exerts pleiotrophic responses in malignant cells leading to cell cycle arrest, differentiation and apoptosis. We tested the ability of alpha-TOS to induce apoptosis or cell cycle perturbation in three human osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines which differ in their pRB and p53 status. We found high levels of apoptosis in OS cells carrying wild-type p53 gene when exposed to alpha-TOS, while the mutant p53 cells were resistant. A S/G2 transition arrest was observed in two OS cell lines exposed to alpha-TOS, which sensitised them to methotrexate, an agent whose activity is cell cycle-dependent. We propose that alpha-TOS may be used as a drug or an adjuvant for treatment of osteosarcomas.
Insights
Alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells with wild-type p53. This compound also causes cell cycle arrest, enhancing sensitivity to methotrexate treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) exhibits diverse effects on cancer cells, including apoptosis induction and cell cycle regulation.
- Osteosarcoma (OS) is a challenging bone cancer with varied genetic profiles, including p53 and pRB status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of alpha-TOS in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human osteosarcoma cell lines.
- To determine the influence of p53 and pRB gene status on OS cell response to alpha-TOS.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of three human osteosarcoma cell lines with varying p53 and pRB statuses with alpha-TOS.
- Assessment of apoptosis levels and cell cycle progression (S/G2 transition).
- Evaluation of alpha-TOS's effect on methotrexate sensitivity.
Main Results:
- High levels of apoptosis were observed in OS cells with wild-type p53 upon alpha-TOS exposure.
- OS cells with mutant p53 showed resistance to alpha-TOS-induced apoptosis.
- A S/G2 cell cycle arrest was induced by alpha-TOS in two OS cell lines.
- Alpha-TOS sensitized these cell lines to methotrexate, a cell cycle-dependent chemotherapeutic agent.
Conclusions:
- Alpha-TOS demonstrates differential efficacy against osteosarcoma cells based on p53 status.
- Alpha-TOS can induce cell cycle arrest and enhance the effectiveness of methotrexate in osteosarcoma treatment.
- Alpha-TOS holds potential as a therapeutic agent or adjuvant for osteosarcoma.
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