The anti-hypertensive drug prazosin induces apoptosis in the medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line TT.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aim

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a tumor associated with poor prognosis since it exhibits high resistance against conventional cancer therapy. Recent studies have shown that quinazolines exhibit a pro-apoptotic effect on malignant cells. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether MTC cells are affected by quinazolines, in particular prazosin.

Materials and methods

Proliferation, apoptosis and cell morphology of the MTC cell line TT were analyzed by WST-1 assay, caspase 3/7 activation tests and microscopy. Fibroblasts were used as control for non-malignant cells.

Results

Prazosin potently inhibited the growth of TT cells, induced apoptosis and caused vacuolization, as well as needle-like filopodia. Fibroblasts were affected by prazosin in

SUBMITTER: Fuchs R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4290659 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature