Generation of reactive oxygen species by xanthine derivatives in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.
Theophylline reduces cell number in MDA-MB-231 cells through mechanisms over and above phosphodiesterase inhibition. In the current study, we used an intracellular fluorescent dye to show that theophylline and, to a much greater extent, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, evoke the generation of reactive oxygen species and also sensitize the cells to insult by other oxidants. Xanthine derivatives may therefore offer novel strategies for antitumor therapeutics.
Crumpton
T L
TL
Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Seidler
F J
FJ
Slotkin
T A
TA
D015056:1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013806:Theophylline; D015056:1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine