title: Effect of the coffee ingredient cafestol on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cafestol is a diterpene molecule found in coffee beans and has anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of cafestol in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three HNSCC cell lines (SCC25, CAL27 and FaDu) were treated with increasing doses of cafestol. Then combination experiments with cisplatin and irradiation were carried out. Drug interactions and possible synergy were calculated using the combination index analysis. Clonogenic assays were performed after irradiation with 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy, respectively, and the rate of apoptosis was measured with flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of HNSCC cells with cafestol leads to a dose-dependent reduction of cell viability and to induction of apoptosis. Combination with irradiation shows a reduction of clonogenic survival compared to each treatment method alone. In two of the cell lines a significant additive effect was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cafestol is a naturally occurring effective compound with growth-inhibiting properties in head and neck cancer cells. Moreover, it leads to a significant inhibition of colony formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Ulana
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kotowski
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heiduschka
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seemann
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eckl-Dorna
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kranebitter
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stanisz
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lill
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thurnher
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D003069:Coffee / Q000737:chemistry*; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003069:Coffee; D004224:Diterpenes; C053400:cafestol