The anti-hypertensive drug prazosin induces apoptosis in the medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line TT

Anticancer Res. 2015 Jan;35(1):31-38.

Abstract

Background/aim: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a tumor associated with poor prognosis since it exhibits high resistance against conventional cancer therapy. Recent studies have shown that quinazolines exhibit a pro-apoptotic effect on malignant cells. The aim of the present study was to elucidate whether MTC cells are affected by quinazolines, in particular prazosin.

Materials and methods: Proliferation, apoptosis and cell morphology of the MTC cell line TT were analyzed by WST-1 assay, caspase 3/7 activation tests and microscopy. Fibroblasts were used as control for non-malignant cells.

Results: Prazosin potently inhibited the growth of TT cells, induced apoptosis and caused vacuolization, as well as needle-like filopodia. Fibroblasts were affected by prazosin in the same way as MTC cells.

Conclusion: MTC cells are responsive to prazosin treatment similar to other malignancies. The fact that fibroblasts also respond to prazosin further highlights the importance to identify the unknown pro-apoptotic target of quinazolines.

Keywords: Medullary thyroid carcinoma; apoptosis; cell culture; prazosin; quinazolines; α1-adrenergic receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Carcinoma, Medullary / drug therapy*
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Prazosin / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / metabolism
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1
  • Prazosin