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In Vitro Methylene Blue and Carboplatin Combination Triggers Ovarian Cancer Cells Death
Jorgelindo da Veiga Moreira1, Laurent Schwartz2, Mario Jolicoeur1
1Research Laboratory in Applied Metabolic Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Centre-Ville Station, P.O. Box 6079, Montréal, QC H3C 3A7, Canada.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|October 26, 2024
Summary
Methylene blue (MB) effectively reduced ovarian cancer cell proliferation by targeting cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function. This study suggests MB as a potential therapeutic agent to enhance chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Mitochondrial Biology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis, and resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is a significant challenge.
- Conventional treatments often neglect cancer cell metabolism, particularly mitochondrial function, which is crucial in cancer development and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mitochondria in ovarian cancer chemo-resistance.
- To explore the potential of methylene blue (MB) in modulating cancer cell metabolism and improving therapeutic responses.
Main Methods:
- Studied two epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell lines (OV1369-R2, OV1946) with varying carboplatin responses and a normal retinal cell line (ARPE-19).
- Assessed MB cellular uptake, proliferation inhibition, glutaminolysis, Warburg effect, oxygen consumption, glycolytic pathways, and ATP levels after MB treatment.
Main Results:
- MB showed differential cellular uptake, with normal cells absorbing more than cancer cells.
- MB (50 µM) inhibited proliferation in both EOC cell lines.
- MB suppressed glutaminolysis and the Warburg effect, increased oxygen consumption, disrupted glycolysis, and depleted ATP in chemo-sensitive cells.
Conclusions:
- Methylene blue demonstrates potential as an ovarian cancer therapeutic agent by targeting metabolic pathways and enhancing mitochondrial activity.
- MB may improve chemotherapeutic responses by modulating mitochondrial energetics and metabolic vulnerabilities in ovarian cancer cells.
