Omeprazole inhibits growth of cancer cell line of colonic origin

The direct effects of omeprazole on colonic cells has not been evaluated. Controversy exists regarding the potential adverse effects of omeprazole on cell proliferation. In order to mimic the in vivo situation in the patient treated with omeprazole, proliferation cell culture experiments were performed, monitoring directly the effects of gastrin and omeprazole both alone and in combination. Three colonic cancer cell lines were used, two with neuroendocrine features (NCI-H716, LCC-18) and one (DLD-1) not known to have these features. In these in vitro proliferation experiments, only the NCI-H716 colorectal cancer cell line responded to omeprazole by decreased proliferation (P < 0.05). The effect was concentration dependent shown for all doses of omeprazole used. Gastrin had a statistically significant effect on increasing proliferation in the NCS-H716 cell line alone but only at the highest concentration (10(-6) M). Omeprazole has a cytostatic effect on one of three colorectal cancer cell lines but the mechanism for this effect of omeprazole and its potential role in treatment awaits elucidation.