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Lycopene's Effects on Cancer Cell Functions within Monolayer and Spheroid Cultures
Nina Pauline Holzapfel1, Boris Michael Holzapfel1, Christina Theodoropoulos1
1a Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology , Brisbane , Australia.
Abstract:
Lycopene, a compound that blocks the action of free radicals and oxygen molecules, is found in tomatoes and tomato-based products and linked to a reduced incidence of cancer. Increasing willingness of patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle by supplemental intake of nutrients and acceptance of alternative therapeutics has boosted research into nutraceuticals. The potential of lycopene to prevent or treat cancer has been investigated, but outcomes are inconsistent and its mode of action is still unknown. Further studies are needed to understand the role of lycopene in cancer prevention and treatment. The impact of lycopene on viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of five different cancer cell lines was determined using monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cell viability was significantly reduced upon lycopene treatment at physiologically attainable concentrations. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion did not change upon lycopene treatment. Ovarian cancer spheroids initially showed a decreased proliferation and after 14 days increased cell viability upon lycopene treatment, confirming the potential of lycopene to reduce cancer cell growth in short-term cultures and also indicate enhanced cell viability over prolonged exposure. This study cannot substantiate that lycopene inhibits cell functions associated with tumor growth, even in a 3D cancer model that mimics the natural tumor microenvironment.
Insights
Lycopene, found in tomatoes, reduced cancer cell viability in lab tests. However, it did not significantly inhibit cancer cell proliferation, migration, or invasion, suggesting limited therapeutic potential for tumor growth.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Lycopene, a tomato-derived antioxidant, is investigated for cancer prevention and treatment.
- Research on lycopene's anti-cancer effects yields inconsistent results, with its mechanism of action unclear.
- Growing patient interest in nutraceuticals fuels research into compounds like lycopene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of lycopene on cancer cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion.
- To evaluate lycopene's effects using both traditional monolayer and advanced 3D spheroid cancer models.
- To clarify lycopene's role in cancer progression and its potential as a therapeutic agent.
Main Methods:
- Treatment of five distinct cancer cell lines with lycopene at physiologically relevant concentrations.
- Assessment of cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion using monolayer cultures.
- Utilized 3D ovarian cancer spheroids to mimic the tumor microenvironment and assess long-term effects.
Main Results:
- Lycopene significantly reduced cancer cell viability at attainable concentrations.
- No significant changes were observed in cancer cell proliferation, migration, or invasion.
- Ovarian cancer spheroids showed initial proliferation decrease but increased viability upon prolonged lycopene exposure.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene demonstrates a capacity to reduce cancer cell viability in short-term exposures.
- Lycopene does not appear to inhibit key cancer cell functions like proliferation, migration, or invasion.
- Further research is required to fully elucidate lycopene's role in cancer prevention and treatment, especially in complex tumor models.
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