Hania Wehbe-Janek1, Qiang Shi, Christopher M Kearney. 1. Department of Biology, Institute of Biomedical Studies, Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor University, One Bear Place # 97388, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cordycepin requires the relatively toxic co-drug, deoxycoformycin, for full efficacy as an anticancer agent. We sought to improve cordycepin efficacy using other, less toxic co-drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the ability of hydroxyurea (HU) to enhance the effects of cordycepin against MOLT-4 leukemia cells with the MTT cell viability assay. We determined the relationship of the combination drug treatment with CalcuSyn statistical analysis program according to the Chou-Talalay method. RESULTS: HU (50 microg/ml) was found to reduce the IC50 of cordycepin from 100 microM to 0.3 microM, a reduction similar to that observed for deoxycoformycin. CalcuSyn analysis of the cordycepin/HU combination revealed the dose effect as synergistic. Further statistical analysis demonstrated a clear synergy between the two drugs at a range of dosages. CONCLUSION: HU was identified as a promising potential alternative for anti-cancer therapy with cordycepin, thus eliminating the need for the toxic deoxycoformycin.
BACKGROUND:Cordycepin requires the relatively toxic co-drug, deoxycoformycin, for full efficacy as an anticancer agent. We sought to improve cordycepin efficacy using other, less toxic co-drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the ability of hydroxyurea (HU) to enhance the effects of cordycepin against MOLT-4 leukemia cells with the MTT cell viability assay. We determined the relationship of the combination drug treatment with CalcuSyn statistical analysis program according to the Chou-Talalay method. RESULTS: HU (50 microg/ml) was found to reduce the IC50 of cordycepin from 100 microM to 0.3 microM, a reduction similar to that observed for deoxycoformycin. CalcuSyn analysis of the cordycepin/HU combination revealed the dose effect as synergistic. Further statistical analysis demonstrated a clear synergy between the two drugs at a range of dosages. CONCLUSION: HU was identified as a promising potential alternative for anti-cancer therapy with cordycepin, thus eliminating the need for the toxic deoxycoformycin.
Authors: Jung-Hoo Hwang; Jong Cheon Joo; Dae Joon Kim; Eunbi Jo; Hwa-Seung Yoo; Kyung-Bok Lee; Soo Jung Park; Ik-Soon Jang Journal: Am J Cancer Res Date: 2016-08-01 Impact factor: 6.166