Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit telomerase activity in head and neck squamous carcinoma cell lines.
BACKGROUND
Antiproliferative effects in neoplastic cells of different origin have been attributed to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) during the past few decades.


METHODS
We tested the influence of NSAIDs and hydrocortisone on cell lines derived from head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) and on normal oral mucosal keratinocytes. Cell numbers were assayed by cell counting, proliferation, telomerase activity with a colorimetric assay, and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
In the neoplastic cell lines indomethacin and ibuprofen caused a dose-dependent reduction of cell numbers and telomerase activity without altering cell viability and increased the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase. In normal oral mucosal keratinocytes, only minor effects could be detected in response to NSAIDs and hydrocortisone.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that NSAIDs have activity against HNSCC cells in vitro and may have clinical applications in combination with other therapeutic regimens.
Thurnher
D
D
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. dietmar.thurnher@univie.ac.at
Bakroeva
M
M
Formanek
M
M
Knerer
B
B
Kornfehl
J
J
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000494:pharmacology; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015603:Keratinocytes; D019098:Telomerase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019098:Telomerase; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D007052:Ibuprofen; D007213:Indomethacin