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Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Effect of Ascorbyl Stearate in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells: Association with Decreased Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor

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Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive tumor with short median survival and high mortality rate. Alternative therapeutic modalities are currently being evaluated for pancreatic cancer. Here we studied the effects of ascorbyl stearate (Asc-S), a nontoxic, lipophilic derivative of ascorbic acid, on pancreatic cancer. Treatment of human pancreatic carcinoma cells with Asc-S (50–200 μM) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of their proliferation. Asc-S slowed down the cell cycle, accumulating, PANC-1 cells in late G2-M phase. Furthermore, Asc-S treatment (150 μM) markedly inhibited growth in soft agar and facilitated apoptosis of PANC-1 cells but not of Capan-2 cells. These effects were accompanied by a significant reduction in insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R) expression, as compared to untreated controls. Interestingly, Capan-2 cells, the least responsive to Asc-S treatment, did not overexpress the IGF1-R. The results demonstrate the efficacy of Asc-S in inhibing growth of pancreatic cancer cells and warrant additional studies to explore the potential utility of this compound as an alternative and/or adjuvant therapeutic modality for pancreatic cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570013, India

    K. Akhilender Naidu

  2. Department of Surgery, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33612, USA

    Richard C. Karl

  3. Department of Neurology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33612, USA

    Kamatham A. Naidu

  4. Department of Pathology, Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 33612, USA

    Domenico Coppola

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  1. K. Akhilender Naidu
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  3. Kamatham A. Naidu
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  4. Domenico Coppola
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Naidu, K.A., Karl, R.C., Naidu, K.A. et al. Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Effect of Ascorbyl Stearate in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells: Association with Decreased Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor. Dig Dis Sci 48, 230–237 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021779624971

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