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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Modeling Chemotherapy Resistant Leukemia In Vitro
Published on: February 9, 2016
The activity of Selol in multidrug-resistant and sensitive human leukemia cells
Piotr Suchocki1, Irena Misiewicz, Katarzyna Skupinska
1National Medicine Institute, 00-725 Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Selol is a mixture of selenitetriglycerides synthesized from sunflower oil. As it contains the element selenium in its structure, it is suspected to exhibit chemopreventive and anticancer activity. In this study, the ability of Selol to inhibit cell proliferation and to induce apoptosis was investigated. Three cell lines were used: leukemia HL-60 cell line and multidrug-resistant HL-60/Dox (resistant to doxorubicin) and HL-60/Vinc (resistant to vincristine). Selol was shown to reduce the cell number as a result of treatment with increasing concentrations. For selected concentrations the evidence of apoptosis (changes in mitochondrial potential and caspase activity) was investigated, as well as changes in lysosome distribution. The study has shown that Selol overcame the cell resistance, as doxorubicin-resistant cells were more sensitive towards Selol than sensitive cells.
Insights
Selol, a selenium-rich compound, effectively inhibits cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis. Notably, it overcomes multidrug resistance, showing greater efficacy against resistant leukemia cells.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Selol is a selenium-containing compound derived from sunflower oil.
- Selenium's known properties suggest potential chemopreventive and anticancer effects.
- Investigating Selol's impact on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Selol's efficacy in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.
- To determine if Selol can induce apoptosis in leukemia cell lines.
- To assess Selol's activity against multidrug-resistant cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized leukemia HL-60 cell lines, including multidrug-resistant variants (HL-60/Dox and HL-60/Vinc).
- Assessed cell proliferation inhibition by Selol at varying concentrations.
- Investigated apoptosis induction through changes in mitochondrial potential and caspase activity.
- Examined alterations in lysosome distribution following Selol treatment.
Main Results:
- Selol demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in cancer cell number.
- Evidence of apoptosis, including altered mitochondrial potential and caspase activation, was observed.
- Selol treatment led to changes in lysosome distribution within cells.
- Crucially, Selol overcame multidrug resistance, with resistant cells showing increased sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Selol exhibits significant antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on leukemia cells.
- The compound effectively combats multidrug resistance in cancer cells.
- Selol presents a promising therapeutic agent for cancer treatment, particularly in resistant cases.
