Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the anticancer effect of artemisinin on molt-4 human leukemia cells.
BACKGROUND
Artemisinin selectively kills cancer cells which have more intracellular free iron than do normal cells. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO(2)) may be beneficial in the treatment of cancer. The hypothesis of this study was that HBO(2) enhances anticancer activity of artemisinin.


METHODS
After pretreatment with 12 μM holotransferrin, Molt-4 human leukemia cells were cultured in 10 μM artemisinin and exposed for 90 min to one of three different conditions: control, room air control, and HBO(2). Cell growth was determined for 48 h after exposure.


RESULTS
Differences in growth were noted after 6 h of incubation. After 48 h of incubation, growth of cells treated with artemisinin alone or HBO(2) alone was 85% of that of cells grown under artemisinin-free control conditions. Combined artemisinin and HBO(2) treatment resulted in an additional 22% decrease in growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined HBO(2) and artemisinin exposure may be an effective anticancer chemotherapeutic strategy.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
Yusuke
Y
Ohgami
Catherine A
CA
Elstad
Eunhee
E
Chung
Donald Y
DY
Shirachi
Raymond M
RM
Quock
Henry C
HC
Lai
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D037621:Artemisinins; D014168:Transferrin; C110714:holotransferrin; C031327:artemisinin; D010100:Oxygen