Latrunculin a has a strong anticancer effect in a peritoneal dissemination model of human gastric cancer in mice

Anticancer Res. 2009 Jun;29(6):2091-7.

Abstract

Peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer is a refractory disease. This paper focuses on the efficacy of actin-binding marine macrolide latrunculin A, which quickly inhibits actin polymerization and disrupts the function of the actin cytoskeleton. The effects of latrunculin A on cell viability in vitro were evaluated by treatment of MKN45 or NUGC-4 cell cultures. An in vitro viability assay demonstrated an anticancer effect of latrunculin A in a dose-dependent manner. Latrunculin A induced acute cell injury and programmed cell death through activating the caspase-3/7 pathway. In vivo, MKN45 or NUGC-4 cells were intraperitoneally inoculated into nude mice, as a model of peritoneal dissemination. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of latrunculin A significantly improved survival rate in mice without any major side-effects. Data indicated that latrunculin A has strong anticancer effects, and it may be a new candidate i.p. drug against peritoneal dissemination of gastric cancer in humans.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / secondary
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Male
  • Marine Toxins / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thiazolidines / pharmacology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Marine Toxins
  • Thiazolidines
  • Caspases
  • latrunculin A