Background: LA-12 is a new platinum (IV) drug with promising cytotoxic effects in a wide range of cancer cell lines. Its confluence-dependent effects were compared with cisplatin (CDDP) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP) in HT-29 cells.
Materials and methods: Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT test, eosin exclusion assay, and cell number quantification. The cell cycle was analysed using propidium iodide DNA staining (flow cytometry), apoptosis by phosphatidylserine externalisation (annexin-V assay), mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometry, nuclear morphology by means of fluorescence microscopy, and PARP cleavage by Western blotting.
Results: While L-OHP and CDDP were practically inactive in the subconfluent cell population, LA-12 showed a similar toxicity in both subconfluent and growing populations. All compounds induced apoptosis, although with different potentials.
Conclusion: LA-12 was able to overcome confluence-dependent resistance of HT-29 cells observed for other platinum compounds, which may have potential therapeutic use in slowly growing tumours.