Cytotoxicity of N-nitrosoguanidines in a breast cancer cell model

• Main Authors: Nuno Almeida, Lara Ribeiro, João G. Costa, Patrícia Rijo, M. Eduarda Araújo, Nuno Saraiva, Ana S. Fernandes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ALIES - Associação Lusófona para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação e do Ensino das Ciências da Saúde 2017-12-01
• Series: Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research (BBR)
• Subjects: N-nitrosoguanidines; NO donors; breast cancer; cytotoxicity
• Online Access: http://www.alies.pt/BBR%20Editions/Vol-14-2-2017/art5.pdf

Nitric oxide (NO) is a biologically important molecule with diverse functions in the human body. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential use of NO donors in cancer therapy, since several studies have shown that the regulation of NO levels influences various pro or antitumor processes. The anticancer effects of NO donors have already been described in different in vitro and in vivo studies. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the antitumor potential of two compounds of the N-nitrosoguanidines family, L1 (1-nitroso-1- methyl-3-benzoylguanidine) and L2 (1-nitroso-1-methyl-3-tolylsulfonylguanidine). The compounds did not show significant in vitro cytotoxicity in the human breast cancer cell model MDA-MB-231. However, further studies will be needed to duly elucidate their antitumor potential. The use of other cancer cell models and the combination of L1 and L2 with radiotherapy or with chemotherapy agents may constitute interesting approaches for future studies.