Comparison of the Effects of Resveratrol and Its Derivatives on the Radiation Response of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

• Main Authors: Dominika Komorowska, Agnieszka Gajewska, Paweł Hikisz, Grzegorz Bartosz, Aleksandra Rodacka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: natural polyphenols; stilbene derivative; ionising radiation; MCF-7 cells; breast cancer; radiotherapy
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/17/9511

Radiotherapy is among the most important methods for breast cancer treatment. However, this method’s effectiveness is limited by radioresistance. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the stilbene derivatives piceid, resveratrol, and piceatannol have a radiosensitising effect on breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The conducted research enabled us to determine which of the tested compounds has the greatest potential in sensitising cells to ionising radiation (IR). Among the stilbene derivatives, resveratrol significantly increased the effect of IR. Resveratrol and IR used in combination had a higher cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells than using piceatannol, piceid, or radiation alone. This was due to a significant decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which resulted in the accumulation of formed reactive oxygen species (ROS). The effect of resveratrol and IR enhanced the expression of apoptotic genes, such as <i>Bax</i>, <i>p53</i>, and <i>caspase 8</i>, leading to apoptosis.