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  • Title: Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells in vitro.
    Author: Kalkunte S, Swamy N, Dizon DS, Brard L.
    Journal: J Exp Ther Oncol; 2006; 5(4):287-300. PubMed ID: 17024969.
    Abstract:
    Advanced ovarian cancer (OC) is not curable by surgery alone and chemotherapy is essential for its treatment. Isothiocyanates have been shown to inhibit carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in animal models, yet no efforts have been made to determine their therapeutic potential in OC. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) in OC. BITC inhibited the proliferation of OC cells and induced apoptosis in OC cells. Apoptosis was induced by a strong activation of caspase-3 and -9, and cleavage of PARP-1. However, caspase-8 was not activated by BITC. Cytotoxic effects of BITC were reversed by the inhibition caspase-3 and -9 specific inhibitors. BITC showed a concentration dependent decrease in the levels of Bcl-2 with a concomitant increase in Bax levels. In addition, BITC activated proapoptotic signaling by phosphorylation JNK1/2 and p38 while simultaneously inhibiting survival signaling mediated by ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. While JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 inhibitor SB203580, abolished the cytotoxic effect of BITC, MEK inhibitor, PD98059 and PI3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002 failed to show such reversal indicating a critical role played by JNK1/2 and p38 signaling in apoptosis induced by BITC. In summary, our studies demonstrate that BITC inhibits proliferation of OC cells and induces apoptosis via caspase-9 and -3 pathways. BITC inhibits ERK1/2 and Akt survival signaling while simultaneously activating pro-apoptotic p38 and JNK1/2. Therefore, BITC can be potentially developed as a therapeutic agent to treat OC.
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