In vitro and in vivo antineoplastic and immunological effects of pterocarpanquinone LQB-118

In this report we describe its antineoplastic effect in vivo and assess its toxicity toward the immune system. Treated mice presented no changes in weight of primary and secondary organs of the immune system nor their cellular composition. Immunophenotyping showed that treatment increased CD4+ thymocytes and proportionally reduced the CD4+CD8+ subpopulation in the thymus. No significant changes were observed in T CD8+ peripheral lymphocytes nor was the activation of fresh T cells affected after treatment. LQB-118 induced apoptosis in murine tumor cells in vitro, being synergistic with the autophagy promoter rapamycin. Furthermore, treatment significantly reduced ascites or solid Ehrlich and B16F10 melanoma growth in vivo, and ameliorated side effects such as cachexia. Based on its favorable preclinical profile and considering previous results obtained in vitro, this drug emerges as a promising candidate for further development.
Source: Investigational New Drugs - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research