Effects of pterostilbene on inducing apoptosis in normal bladder and bladder cancer cells

Chen-Hsun Ho1, Chia-Kwung Fan2, Yi-Chen Chu3

  • 1Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei, Taiwan.

Tissue & Cell
|February 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that PT, a resveratrol derivative, effectively induces apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. PT demonstrates potential as a novel therapeutic agent for bladder cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Bladder cancer is a prevalent urinary tumor requiring novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a key mechanism for cancer treatment.
  • PT, a resveratrol derivative, exhibits antioxidant properties and induces tumor cell death, but its mechanism is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-bladder cancer potential of PT.
  • To evaluate PT's cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing effects on bladder cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the apoptotic pathways involved in PT's action.

Main Methods:

  • Cell culture of normal bladder epithelial (SV-HUC-1) and bladder cancer (HTB-9) cells.
  • Treatment with varying doses and times of PT.
  • Assessment of cytotoxicity and apoptosis using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and western blotting.
  • Analysis of apoptotic protein expression, particularly caspase-3.

Main Results:

  • PT induced significant apoptosis in bladder cancer HTB-9 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
  • Normal bladder epithelial SV-HUC-1 cells showed no significant effect from PT treatment.
  • PT treatment correlated with increased expression of apoptotic proteins, especially caspase-3, activating both internal and external apoptotic pathways.

Conclusions:

  • PT effectively promotes apoptotic death in bladder cancer cells.
  • PT exhibits selective toxicity towards cancer cells, sparing normal bladder epithelial cells.
  • PT shows promise as a potential therapeutic or adjuvant drug for bladder cancer treatment.

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