A Nutrient Mixture Induces Caspase Dependent Apoptosis in Human Synovial Sarcoma Cells

M.W. Roomi, B Bhanap, Ahmed T, A Niedzwiecki, M Rath

Department of Oncology, Dr. Rath Research Institute, USA

J Sarcoma Res. 2018; 2(1): 1010 -1014

Abstract: 

Synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue cancer occurring more frequently in adolescent and young adults than older people. The primary sites being the joints of the arms and the legs.A novel Nutrient Mixture (NM) containing green tea extract, ascorbic acid, lysine, and proline exhibited anti-cancer effects in various cancers. In our earlier studies, the NM considerably reduced the tumor weight and tumor burden in synovial sarcoma.

Based on the observation, we investigated whether this phenomenon and the anti-cancer effects were due to the induction of apoptosis. Synovial sarcoma cell line SW982 was cultured in complete DME media and the cells were treated with NM at 0-1000 μg/ml concentration. Cell cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay, morphology by H&E staining, and the apoptosis by Green Caspases. NM showed no significant cytotoxicity at 100 μg/ml, slight toxicity at 500 μg/ml and maximum at 1000 μg/ml. H&E staining at the NM dose of 100 μg/ml showed a few cellular changes characteristic to apoptosis, while significant changes pertaining to apoptosis morphology were observed at 500 and 1000 μg/ml. Live Green Caspases analysis showed cells in early and late apoptosis with increasing doses of NM. Since there are no satisfactory treatments and cures for synovial sarcoma patients and the 5-year survival rate is low (55-75%), we think that addition of NM could add a new option for the patients of synovial sarcoma and deserves further clinical investigation.

Key words: Sarcoma, Apoptosis

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