Cadmium Modifies the Cell Cycle and Apoptotic Profiles of Human Breast Cancer Cells Treated with 5-Fluorouracil

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Yolande Asara¹  Juan A. Marchal²  Esther Carrasco²  Houria Boulaiz²  Giuliana Solinas¹  Pasquale Bandiera¹  Maria A. Garcia³  Cristiano Farace¹  Andrea Montella¹ 

[1] Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43/B, Sassari 07100, Italy; E-Mails:;Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada, Granada E-18100, Spain; E-Mails:;Oncology Department, University Hospital “Virgen de las Nieves”, Granada E-18100, Spain; E-Mail:

关键词: cadmium;    5-fluorouracil;    MCF-7;    breast cancer;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms140816600

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Industrialisation, the proximity of factories to cities, and human work activities have led to a disproportionate use of substances containing heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), which may have deleterious effects on human health. Carcinogenic effects of Cd and its relationship with breast cancer, among other tumours, have been reported. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a fluoropyrimidine anticancer drug used to treat solid tumours of the colon, breast, stomach, liver, and pancreas. The purpose of this work was to study the effects of Cd on cell cycle, apoptosis, and gene and protein expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells treated with 5-FU. Cd altered the cell cycle profile, and its effects were greater when used either alone or in combination with 5-FU compared with 5-FU alone. Cd significantly suppressed apoptosis of MCF-7 cells pre-treated with 5-FU. Regarding gene and protein expression, bcl2 expression was mainly upregulated by all treatments involving Cd. The expression of caspase 8 and caspase 9 was decreased by most of the treatments and at all times evaluated. C-myc expression was increased by all treatments involving Cd, especially 5-FU plus Cd at the half time of treatment. Cd plus 5-FU decreased cyclin D1 and increased cyclin A1 expression. In conclusion, our results indicate that exposure to Cd blocks the anticancer effects of 5-FU in MCF-7 cells. These results could have important clinical implications in patients treated with 5-FU-based therapies and who are exposed to high levels of Cd.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland