Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Repair of a Critical-sized Calvarial Defect Model Using Adipose-derived Stromal Cells Harvested from Lipoaspirate
Published on: October 31, 2012
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Can Replace Fibroblasts as Cell Control for Anti-Tumor Screening Assay
Phuc Van Pham1,2,3, Sinh Truong Nguyen1, Nhan Lu-Chinh Phan1
1Stem Cell Institute, University of Science, VNU-HCM, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Abstract:
Anti-tumor activity screening is a typical process used in anti-tumor drug discovery. The ideal anti-tumor drug candidates are extracts or compounds that can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells via apoptosis, while exerting minimal effects on normal somatic cells. For a long time, fibroblasts were used as normal cells for all anti-tumor screening assays. However, the fibroblasts exhibited several limitations as cell controls for anti-tumor screening. This study aimed to compare the usage of dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as normal cell controls in anti-tumor screening protocols. The DFs and ADSCs were prepared per the published protocols. The IC50 values of doxorubicin on hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2, breast cancer cells MCF-7, DFs and ADSCs were determined via the Alamar blue assay. The side effect indexes (SEIs) were calculated as the ratio of IC50 values of drugs on cancer cells and IC50 values of drugs on DFs, and on ADSCs. The stability of the anti-tumor assay was investigated when carried out on DFs and ADSCs from different passages. The results showed that the IC50 values, as well as SEI values, were not significantly different between using DFs or ADSCs as normal cell controls when DFs and ADSCs were at passage 3. However, for DFs at passage 6 to 12, the IC50 values of doxorubicin were significantly different between DFs and ADSCs. The IC50 values of doxorubicin on DFs were strongly reduced due to the senescence of DFs, while the values were more constant in ADSCs. The SEI values of doxorubicin on DFs, compared to HepG2 and MCF-7 cells, were also changed during passage 3 to 12 of the DFs. However, these values were only slightly changed for ADSCs from the 3rd to 12th passages. ADSCs can replace DFs as a normal cell control for anti-tumor activity screening.
Insights
Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are suitable replacements for dermal fibroblasts (DFs) as normal cell controls in anti-tumor drug screening. ADSCs offer more stable assay results across cell passages than DFs.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Drug discovery and development
- Cell biology
Background:
- Anti-tumor drug discovery relies on screening assays to identify compounds inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.
- Traditionally, dermal fibroblasts (DFs) have been used as normal cell controls, but they present limitations.
- Alternative normal cell controls are needed for more reliable anti-tumor screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as normal cell controls in anti-tumor screening.
- To evaluate the stability and reliability of anti-tumor assays using DFs versus ADSCs across different cell passages.
Main Methods:
- Dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were cultured and prepared.
- Doxorubicin's IC50 values were determined for cancer cells (HepG2, MCF-7) and normal cells (DFs, ADSCs) using the Alamar blue assay.
- Side effect indexes (SEIs) were calculated, and assay stability was assessed across multiple cell passages.
Main Results:
- At passage 3, no significant differences in IC50 or SEI values were observed between DFs and ADSCs.
- From passage 6 to 12, DFs showed significantly reduced IC50 values due to senescence, unlike ADSCs.
- ADSCs maintained more constant IC50 and SEI values across passages compared to DFs.
Conclusions:
- Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) demonstrate greater stability and reliability as normal cell controls in anti-tumor screening assays.
- ADSCs can effectively replace dermal fibroblasts (DFs), overcoming limitations associated with fibroblast senescence.
- Utilizing ADSCs can enhance the accuracy and consistency of anti-tumor drug discovery screening protocols.
