Cancer cells apply the Warburg pathway to meet their increased metabolic demands caused by their rapid growth and proliferation and also creates an acidic environment to promote cancer cell invasion. 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrP) as an anti-cancer agent disrupts glycolytic pathway. Moreover, one of the mechanism of actions of Methyl Jasmonate (MJ) is interference in glycolysis. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate MJ and 3-BrP interaction. MTT assay was used to determine IC50 and synergistic concentrations. Combination index was applied to evaluate the drug- drug interaction. Human tumor xenograft breast cancer mice was used to evaluate drug efficacy in vivo. Tumor size was considered as a drug efficacy criterion. In addition to drug efficacy, probable side effects of these drugs including hepatotoxicity, renal failure, immunotoxicity, and losing weight were evaluated. Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase for hepatotoxicity, serum urea and creatinine level for the possibility of renal failure and changes in body weight were measured to evaluate drug toxicity. IL10 and TGFβ secretion in supernatant of isolated splenocytes from treated mice were assessed to check immunotoxicity. 3-BrP synergistically augmented the efficacy of MJ in the specific concentrations. This polytherapy was more effective than monotherapy of 3-BrP, MJ, and also surprisingly cyclophosphamide as a routine treatment for breast cancer in the tumor bearing mice. These results have been shown by decrease in tumor volume and increase of tumor growth inhibition percentage. This combination therapy didn't have any noticeable side effects on kidney, liver, and immune system and body weight.
Keywords: 3-Bromopyruvate; Breast cancer; Combination therapy; Glycolysis; Methyl jasmonate.