Cisplatin-resistant A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells sensitivity to 7-ketocholesterol

Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. It is often detected in the late stages of the disease and is difficult to treat. Furthermore, the cancer often develops resistance to chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of two variants of the A549 cell line: sensitive and resistant to cisplatin, to the action of 7-ketocholesterol. A549 cells were exposed to cisplatin for several weeks to generate a cisplatin-resistant subpopulation. They were then exposed to various concentrations of 7-ketocholesterol. The effect of 7-ketocholesterol on cell viability, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species was examined. The results for both variants of the A549 cell line subpopulations demonstrated a slightly greater sensitivity of the cisplatin-resistant subpopulation to 7-ketocholesterol. These are preliminary, pilot studies that pave the way for more advanced research on the effects of oxysterols on chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells.