Growth inhibition of head and neck carcinomas by D-allose

Head Neck. 2009 Aug;31(8):1049-55. doi: 10.1002/hed.21070.

Abstract

Background: An inhibitory effect of D-allose, a rare sugar, on several cancer cell lines has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the growth inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells by D-allose.

Methods: We treated 3 head and neck carcinoma cell lines with D-allose, D-fructose, D-psicose, and D-glucose. Cell growth assays as well as analyses of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, cell cycle, apoptosis, and uptake of 14C-glucose were performed.

Results: D-allose had inhibitory effects on all 3 cell lines and tended to upregulate mRNA expression of glucose transporters, p21 and p53, and downregulate mRNA expression of cyclin A2, cyclin B1, and CDC2. We observed that D-allose tended to interfere with the intracellular uptake of D-glucose and induced apoptosis.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that D-allose inhibits the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. D-allose has a considerable potential as a new anticancer agent in those patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle / physiology
  • Cell Growth Processes / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Probability
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • allose
  • Glucose