Journal article
Antineoplastic Drug Synergy of Artesunate with Navitoclax in Models of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Cancers, Vol.16(7), 1321
04/01/2024
DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071321
PMCID: PMC11011058
PMID: 38610999
Abstract
Artesunate belongs to a class of medications derived from the sweet wormwood plant (
) known as artemisinins. Artesunate has traditionally been used as a frontline treatment for severe malaria but has also demonstrated antineoplastic activity against various malignancies, including ovarian cancer. Data suggest that artesunate exacerbates cellular oxidative stress, triggering apoptosis. In the current study, we investigated the ability of navitoclax, an inhibitor of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein family, to enhance artesunate efficacy in ovarian cancer cells. Artesunate and navitoclax both demonstrated antiproliferative effects on 2D and 3D ovarian cancer cell models as single agents. Upon combination of navitoclax with artesunate, antineoplastic drug synergy was also observed in each of the 2D cell lines and ovarian tumor organoid models tested. Further investigation of this drug combination using intraperitoneal CAOV3 xenograft models in BALB/scid mice showed that the artesunate/navitoclax doublet was superior to single-agent artesunate and vehicle control treatment. However, it did not outperform single-agent navitoclax. With optimization, this drug combination could provide a new therapeutic option for ovarian cancer and warrants further preclinical investigation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Antineoplastic Drug Synergy of Artesunate with Navitoclax in Models of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
- Creators
- J Robert McCorkle - University of KentuckyRebecca Ahn - University of KentuckyConnie D Cao - University of KentuckyKristen S Hill - Markey Cancer CenterCharles S Dietrich - Markey Cancer CenterJill M Kolesar - University of Kentucky
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancers, Vol.16(7), 1321
- DOI
- 10.3390/cancers16071321
- PMID
- 38610999
- PMCID
- PMC11011058
- ISSN
- 2072-6694
- eISSN
- 2072-6694
- Grant note
- P30CA177558 / NIH HHS P30 CA177558 / NCI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics
- Record Identifier
- 9984695797602771
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