N-acetylcysteine inhibits proliferation, adhesion, migration and invasion of human bladder cancer cells.
OBJECTIVE
Bladder cancer is not only a major public health and economically burden for the patients but also a major clinical impact for Thai urologists. The authors' aim was to study the anti-metastatic effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), one of the cheap, safe and widely used over-the-counter-drugs in Thailand, on the human bladder cancer cells.


METHODS
Effects of NAC at various concentrations on the growth, adhesion, migration, and invasion of the human bladder cancer cell line were assessed in vitro.


RESULTS
NAC at the concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 30 mM could directly and significantly inhibit the growth, adhesion, migration, and invasion of the human bladder cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for cell viability was 33.33 +/- 0.78 mM. The inhibitory effects on migration, invasion and adhesion properties of the cancer cells were dramatically observed at the concentrations of > or = 10, > or = 20 and > or = 30 mM respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
NAC has an anti-metastatic effect on the human bladder cancer cells by inhibiting their growth, adhesion, migration, and invasion properties. This implies the high possibility that the urologists may apply the results to use it intravesically before, during and after the transurethral resection of bladder tumour in addition to its conventional usage by oral and parenteral routes.
Supabphol
Athikom
A
Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Muangman
Verasing
V
Chavasiri
Warinthorn
W
Supabphol
Roongtawan
R
Gritsanapan
Wandee
W
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D000111:Acetylcysteine