In vitro evaluation of cytotoxic properties of 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on bladder cancer cells

• Main Authors: Fahmy Ahmed, Omar Ahmed, Fahmy, Omar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/89332/1/CANCER.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/89332/; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1572100020300673
• Institution: Universiti Putra Malaysia

Introduction: 5-Aminolevulinic (5-ALA) may be used as a photo diagnostic agent in bladder cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effect of 5-ALA on bladder cancer cells. Materials and methods: T24 cells treated with various concentrations of mitomycin (MC), 5-ALA and an MC/5-ALA mixture were evaluated to determine the role of 5-ALA on MC cytotoxicity. Cell cycle analysis was conducted, and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Caspase 3 enzyme and reactive oxygen species were measured. Results: Our initial studies exploring the impact of combination therapy on cell viability demonstrated improved cytotoxic effects on T24 and RT cells with relatively low doses of 5-ALA/MC in conjunction with MC alone. Indicated no significant difference between the IC50 of MC and MC/5-ALA in T24 cells, while IC50 value was decreased by 25 % in RT4 cells in 5-ALA/MC in comparing with MC alone. However, examination of cell cycle phase arrests by flow cytometry revealed significant PreG1 apoptosis and cell growth arrest in G2/M in T24 cells treated with the MC/5-ALA mixture compared with MC treatment. In addition, caspase 3 enzyme was increased by 1.15-fold in T24 cells treated with MC/5-ALA in comparison with MC alone. Conclusion: These results suggest that 5-ALA might possess anti-cancer properties and is not only a photo diagnostic element.