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Prevention of the development of melphalan resistance in vitro by selenite

P B Caffrey1, M Zhu, G D Frenkel

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.

Biological Trace Element Research
|January 19, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Selenite supplementation prevented melphalan resistance in ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene expression and activity. This suggests selenite could be a valuable tool in overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Melphalan resistance is a significant challenge in ovarian cancer treatment.
  • Elevated glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) are key mechanisms of melphalan resistance.
  • Novel strategies are needed to overcome drug resistance in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of selenite on the development of melphalan resistance in A2780 human ovarian tumor cells.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying selenite's potential to prevent drug resistance.

Main Methods:

  • A2780 cells were exposed to melphalan in vitro for 7 days, with and without selenite.
  • Cellular glutathione levels and GST activity were measured.
  • GST gene expression was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Selenite (≥0.2 microM) completely prevented melphalan-induced resistance.
  • Selenite did not affect melphalan-induced increases in glutathione levels.
  • Selenite inhibited the increase in GST activity and prevented the upregulation of GST gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Selenite effectively prevents the development of melphalan resistance in ovarian cancer cells in vitro.
  • The mechanism involves the inhibition of GST activity and gene expression, not glutathione levels.
  • Selenite shows promise as a therapeutic agent to overcome drug resistance in vivo.

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