Drug-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) rely on cell membrane properties to exert anticancer effects.

ABSTRACT: Pharmacological concentrations of small molecule natural products, such as ascorbic acid, have exhibited distinct cell killing outcomes between cancer and normal cells whereby cancer cells undergo apoptosis or necrosis while normal cells are not adversely affected. Here, we develop a mathematical model for ascorbic acid that can be utilized as a tool to understand the dynamics of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced cell death. We determine that not only do endogenous antioxidants such as catalase contribute to ROS-induced cell death, but also cell membrane properties play a critical role in the efficacy of ROS as a cytotoxic mechanism against cancer cells vs. normal cells. Using in vitro assays with breast cancer cells, we have confirmed that cell membrane properties are essential for RO

SUBMITTER: Molavian HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4899687 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature