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Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of astemizole on cervical cancer cells

Abstract:

Objective: Cervical cancer is a major cause of mortality among women in developing countries. Thus, it is necessary to offer novel therapies to treat this malignancy. Astemizole has been suggested as a novel and interesting anticancer agent because it targets several proteins involved in cancer including Eag1 (ether á-go-go-1) potassium channels. Eag1 has been proposed as a tumor marker for different types of cancer. Actually, we previously suggested Eag1 channels as cervical cancer and dysplasiamarkers. Besides, Eag1 has been proposed as a therapeutic target for different malignancies. However, the effect of astemizole in cervical cancer cells is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of astemizole on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Methods: Five cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, SiHa, CaSki, INBL, and C-33A) were cultured according to manufacturer's instructions. Eag1 protein expression was studied by immunocytochemistry. Cell proliferationwas assayedwith theMTTmethod, and apoptosiswas investigated by flow cytometry. Results: Eag1 protein expressionwas observed in different cell lines.Astemizole decreased cell proliferation in up to 40% and increased apoptosis severalfold in all the cell lines studied. Conclusions: Our results suggest astemizole as a potential therapy for cervical cancer. Copyright © 2014 by IGCS and ESGO.