Dietary glycine decreases both tumor volume and vascularization in a combined colorectal liver metastasis and chemotherapy model.

Abstract

Rationale: Chemotherapy (CTx) with FOLFOX is indicated prior to resection of liver metastases; however, its effect is limited due to chemoresistance and its toxicity prevents from aggressive surgery needed in some cases. Hepatoprotective glycine has been shown to have anti-tumorigenic properties in various cancers. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of glycine combined with FOLFOX on colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Methods: The effect of glycine combined with 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin was investigated in vitro on colorectal cancer (CC531). Further, Wag/Rij rats with CRLM were treated with 5% dietary glycine ± FOLFOX. µCT liver scan, anti-Ki67, and anti-CD31 were compared. Results: Glycine alone and combined with CTx has no effect on both CC531 viability in vitro and tumor proliferation in vivo; however, glycine significantly decreased tumor volume to about 42-35% of controls in vivo (p<0.05) with a 60% decreased tumor microvascular density (MVD) (p=0.004). Further glycine doesn't counteract anti-tumor properties of CTx. Conclusions: This study nicely demonstrates that glycine inhibits the growth of CRLM and does not decrease CTx effectiveness. Underlying mechanisms most likely include a decreased tumor MVD. Clinical trials are warranted to implement non-toxic hepatoprotective glycine in novel anti-cancer strategies in humans.

• Authors: Juste Maneikyte, Augustinas Bausys, Bettina Leber, Angela Horvath, Nicole Feldbacher, Gerald Hoefler, Kestutis Strupas, Philipp Stiegler, Peter Schemmer
• Journal: International journal of biological sciences (Int J Biol Sci) Vol. 15 Issue 8 Pg. 1582-1590 ( 2019) ISSN: 1449-2288 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 31360101 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Organoplatinum Compounds
• Leucovorin
• Glycine
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Fluorouracil (therapeutic use)
• Glycine (therapeutic use)
• Immunohistochemistry
• Leucovorin (therapeutic use)
• Liver Neoplasms (drug therapy, secondary)
• Male
• Organoplatinum Compounds (therapeutic use)
• Rats