Abstract

The combined activity of MGBG (metylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone)) with either cisplatin or carboplatin was investigated, towards the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. While a dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic activity was already observed for MGBG alone, a synergistic and non-reversible effect was verified upon co-administration with these Pt-based drugs. Furthermore, toxicity against non-neoplastic cells was shown to be quite low for these drug cocktails, as opposed to either Pt-agents alone. These results may hopefully allow to use lower dosages of both MGBG and the Ptdrugs, minimising the drugs deleterious side effects while keeping antitumour efficacy, in an anticancer strategy that couples interference with polyamine homeostasis with DNA damage.

Keywords: Anticancer, Breast cancer, Carboplatin, Cisplatin, MGBG, Chemotherapy, MCF-7, Pt-based drugs, homeostasis, myelosuppression, mucositis, antitumour, difluormethylornithine, aromatase inhibitors