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Cytotoxic Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Osteosarcoma Cells In Vitro
Published on: March 18, 2014
Taurolidine: a novel anti-neoplastic agent induces apoptosis of osteosarcoma cell lines
Denise K Walters1, Roman Muff, Bettina Langsam
1Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research, Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Taurolidine, the active agent of Taurolin, is a broad spectrum anti-biotic that has been used for over 15 years for the treatment of severe surgical infections. Recently, taurolidine has been shown to possess anti-neoplastic properties in vitro and in vivo against a variety of cancers including ovarian, colon and prostate. In this study we assessed the cytotoxic activity of taurolidine against human osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines and normal human bone cells. Treatment with taurolidine inhibited the growth of all ten osteosarcoma cell lines tested and taurolidine was equally potent against cell lines with and without distinct genetic defects (i.e. p53, Rb). Moreover, taurolidine-induced growth inhibition was found to be associated with a dose dependent increase in the number of apoptotic cells and apoptosis was shown to be caspase-dependent. Taurolidine treatment was also found to inhibit adhesion of OS cell lines. Compared to OS cell lines, normal bone cells in primary culture were found to be less sensitive to the cytotoxic and anti-adhesive effects of taurolidine. These data indicate that taurolidine possesses potent anti-neoplastic activity against osteosarcoma cell lines and may have potential as a novel OS chemotherapeutic agent.
Insights
Taurolidine effectively inhibits osteosarcoma (OS) cell growth and adhesion. This broad-spectrum antibiotic shows potential as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for OS, with reduced toxicity to normal bone cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Taurolidine is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for surgical infections.
- Emerging evidence suggests taurolidine has anti-neoplastic properties against various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-adhesive effects of taurolidine on human osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines.
- To compare the sensitivity of OS cells versus normal bone cells to taurolidine.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of ten human osteosarcoma cell lines and normal human bone cells with taurolidine.
- Assessment of cell growth inhibition, apoptosis induction (caspase-dependent), and cell adhesion.
- Evaluation of drug potency against cell lines with different genetic defects (p53, Rb).
Main Results:
- Taurolidine inhibited growth in all tested osteosarcoma cell lines, irrespective of genetic defects.
- A dose-dependent increase in caspase-dependent apoptosis was observed.
- Taurolidine reduced osteosarcoma cell adhesion.
- Normal bone cells exhibited less sensitivity to taurolidine's cytotoxic and anti-adhesive effects.
Conclusions:
- Taurolidine demonstrates potent anti-neoplastic activity against human osteosarcoma.
- Taurolidine may serve as a promising novel chemotherapeutic agent for osteosarcoma treatment.
- The differential effect on cancer versus normal cells suggests a favorable therapeutic window.
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