Protection of p53 wild type cells from taxol by genistein in the combined treatment of lung cancer.

This study specifies the basic principles to selectively kill p53-deficient cells (H1299, FaDu) by taxol and to protect p53 wild type cells (A549) by the prior administration of structurally related flavonoids (apigenin, genistein, and quercetin). Cytotoxic and cytostatic properties of flavonoids were investigated in vitro by flow cytometry and were compared to known anticancer drugs (cisplatin, doxorubicin, etoposide). It was confirmed that doxorubicin induced growth arrest and protected A549 cells from taxol while simultaneously killing or blocking H1299 and FaDu cancer cells. It was found that doxorubicin could be successfully substituted in this way by the isoflavone genistein used at physiologically relevant concentrations. The other compounds analyzed revealed less selectivity (apigenin, cisplatin) or demonstrated higher toxicity (cisplatin, etoposide, and quercetin). We concluded that genistein-based therapy may have antagonistic effects when combined with mitotic poisons. The proposed therapeutic strategy allows protection of p53 wild type cells from taxol and selectively increases apoptosis in p53-deficient cells. This strategy exploits the naturally occurring compound that can be used without significant toxicity in rather high concentrations as present in common diets.