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Updated: Oct 17, 2025
Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species ROS in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
EF24 exerts cytotoxicity against NSCLC via inducing ROS accumulation
Minghui Chang1, Ming Shang1, Fang Yuan2
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Background:
The role of Diphenyldifluoroketone (EF24), a synthetic analogue of curcumin with noteworthy antitumor potential, remains unclear in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Herein, the inhibitory effect of EF24 on NSCLC and its mechanism were studied.
Methods:
Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay, colony formation assay and xenograft model. Cell apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were quantified by flow cytometer. Protein level was detected by western blot assay. Mitochondria and autophagosomes were observed using transmission electron microscope and confocal microscopy.
Results:
In-vitro, EF24 significantly induced proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, mitochondrial fission and autophagy of NSCLC cell lines. These cytotoxic effects were significantly attenuated by two reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, indicating its anti-cancer effects largely depend on ROS accumulation. In-vivo, EF24 inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, no pathological changes of heart, lung, spleen, kidney and liver of mice were observed. Collectively, EF24 induced ROS accumulation, in turn activates cell apoptosis, and then exerts its cytotoxicity on NSCLC cells.
Conclusions:
The results showed that EF24 exerted cytotoxicity against NSCLC via ROS accumulation. Thus, EF24 might serve as a potential anti-cancer agent for the treatment of NSCLC.
