Synergic and comparative effect of 5-fluorouracil and leucoverin on breast and colon cancer cells through TRPM2 channels

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to reveal the role of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Leucovorin (LV) along with transient receptor potential protein melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channels in breast and colon cancer cells during the treatment process. BACKGROUND: 5-FU and LV are widely used in breast and colon cancers for chemotherapy. It has been reported that the expression of TRPM2 channels increased intensively in cancer cells. METHODS: Breast (MCF7) and colon (Caco-2) cells were cultured and divided into seven main groups. The cells in the group were incubated with 5-FU and LV for 24 hrs and then incubated with Antranilic acid. The effects of medicines were investigated on all molecular pathways of apoptosis. RESULTS: It was found that 5FU and LCV, administered separately and together on breast cancer cell culture and colon cancer cell culture increased the intracellular calcium levels by stimulation of TRPM2 channels in both cancer cells. CONCLUSION: As the result of our study, it has been shown that apoptotic effects of 5FU and LV on both colon and breast cancer cells were directly related to TRPM2 channels and that TRPM2 channels played an important role in the whole molecular pathway of apoptosis leading to increased intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+) levels and increased mitochondrial depolarisation (Fig. 6, Ref. 43). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.