Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, meaning it is essential to explore all possible strategies for its prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, risk factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, and obesity—which are increasingly prevalent...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Joanna Słoka Marcel Madej Ilona Nowak Barbara Strzałka-Mrozik |
| author_facet | Joanna Słoka Marcel Madej Ilona Nowak Barbara Strzałka-Mrozik |
| author_sort | Joanna Słoka |
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| description | Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, meaning it is essential to explore all possible strategies for its prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, risk factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, and obesity—which are increasingly prevalent in developed countries—contribute to CRC development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mesalazine (MES) and lactoferrin (LACT) combination on the viability of CRC cells and healthy intestinal epithelial cells, as well as to assess the expression profile of target genes within the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, this study aimed to preliminarily analyze the mechanism of action underlying the combined effects of these compounds. In this study, we used three CRC cell lines (HCT-116, DLD-1, and HT-29) along with the healthy intestinal epithelial cell line CCD 841 CoN. These cells were treated with MES and LACT separately, as well as in combination. We demonstrated that the combination of MES and LACT reduced the viability of CRC cells more effectively than either compound alone, while slightly increasing the viability of normal intestinal epithelial cells. The synergistic effect of MES and LACT may serve as a foundation for developing new treatment strategies for CRC, utilizing compounds with a high safety profile. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-99ca443183524ac88ced5ced363148cb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1467-3037 1467-3045 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Current Issues in Molecular Biology |
| spelling | doaj-art-99ca443183524ac88ced5ced363148cb2025-08-20T01:56:25ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-05-0147532710.3390/cimb47050327Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin PathwayJoanna Słoka0Marcel Madej1Ilona Nowak2Barbara Strzałka-Mrozik3Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, PolandColorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, meaning it is essential to explore all possible strategies for its prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, risk factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, and obesity—which are increasingly prevalent in developed countries—contribute to CRC development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mesalazine (MES) and lactoferrin (LACT) combination on the viability of CRC cells and healthy intestinal epithelial cells, as well as to assess the expression profile of target genes within the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, this study aimed to preliminarily analyze the mechanism of action underlying the combined effects of these compounds. In this study, we used three CRC cell lines (HCT-116, DLD-1, and HT-29) along with the healthy intestinal epithelial cell line CCD 841 CoN. These cells were treated with MES and LACT separately, as well as in combination. We demonstrated that the combination of MES and LACT reduced the viability of CRC cells more effectively than either compound alone, while slightly increasing the viability of normal intestinal epithelial cells. The synergistic effect of MES and LACT may serve as a foundation for developing new treatment strategies for CRC, utilizing compounds with a high safety profile.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/327mesalazinelactoferrincolorectal canceriron metabolism |
| spellingShingle | Joanna Słoka Marcel Madej Ilona Nowak Barbara Strzałka-Mrozik Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Current Issues in Molecular Biology mesalazine lactoferrin colorectal cancer iron metabolism |
| title | Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway |
| title_full | Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway |
| title_fullStr | Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway |
| title_short | Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway |
| title_sort | mesalazine and lactoferrin as potential adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer effects on cell viability and wnt β catenin pathway |
| topic | mesalazine lactoferrin colorectal cancer iron metabolism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/5/327 |
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