REAL-TIME ANALYSIS OF QUERCETIN, RESVERATROL AND /OR DOXORUBICIN EFFECTS IN MCF-7 CELLS

Abstract

Breast cancer represents a malignancy with high incidence and mortality throughout women, its ethiology involving many genetic, immunological and biochemical factors. Adriamycin (ADR) is one of the most effective anti-cancer agents used to treat breast cancer, but chronic cardiotoxicity is a major limiting factor of its use. In order to choose the most effective ADR chemotherapeutic dose, and thereby diminish the side-effects, we used new technical assays to modulate the chemo-preventive or anticancer properties of ADR by adding dietary natural compounds. Our study focused on the role of natural compounds such as resveratrol (RSV) or quercetin (QCT) in sensitization of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line to ADR action. Real-time cell analysis (RTCA) by xCELLigence System was used to continuously monitor the cytotoxic effects of treatments on MCF-7 cells. RTCA allowed us to choose the proper concentrations for further end-point assays, as flow-cytometry techniques used for the evaluation of apoptotic events or progression through cell cycle phases of compound-treated MCF-7 cells. Data obtained showed additional effects of QCT or RSV to ADR treatments on the increase of early apoptosis events, and suggested alternative approaches to obtain a stronger anti-tumor response, diminish the side-effects when use lower concentrations of anti- cancer drugs.