Sophorolipids and their derivatives are lethal against human pancreatic cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
We have previously demonstrated that sophorolipids, a class of easily chemoenzymatically modifiable glycolipids, possess anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. Since glycolipids have been shown to have anticancer activity, we investigated the effects of sophorolipids and their derivatives against pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
Human pancreatic carcinoma cells were treated with increasing concentrations of sophorolipid natural mixture or select derivatives (ethyl ester, methyl ester, ethyl ester monoacetate, ethyl ester diacetate, acidic sophorolipid [AS], lactonic sophorolipid diacetate [LSD]) for 24 h and assessed for cell necrosis (cytotoxicity-lactate dehydrogenase release). Controls consisted of cells treated with media or vehicle alone and sophorolipid treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


RESULTS
Sophorolipids demonstrated anticancer activity against human pancreatic carcinoma cells. Natural mixture mediated consistent cytotoxicity at all doses tested (20 +/- 4%). However, methyl ester derivative mediated much greater levels of cytotoxicity (63 +/- 5%) compared with other derivatives (ethyl ester diacetate, 36 +/- 6%, ethyl ester monoacetate, 18 +/- 7%; P < 0.05). In contrast, LSD- and AS-mediated toxicity was inversely proportional with dose (LSD, 40.3% at 0.5 mg/mL, 3.4% at 2.0 mg/mL; AS, 49% at 0.5 mg/mL, 0% at 2.0 mg/mL). Sophorolipid treatment did not affect peripheral blood mononuclear cells at all doses tested.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that sophorolipids and select derivatives may be effective in treating human pancreatic cancer. Furthermore select derivatives may use different mechanisms toward this end. The ability to chemoenzymatically modify sophorolipids can provide effective lead compounds toward the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Fu
Sophia L
SL
Department of Surgery, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York 11203, USA.
Wallner
Sabine R
SR
Bowne
Wilbur B
WB
Hagler
Michael D
MD
Zenilman
Michael E
ME
Gross
Richard
R
Bluth
Martin H
MH
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006017:Glycolipids