Scientists used quantitative analysis to trial anti-cancer agent

Using quantitative analysis methods, a team of scientists have discovered that a novel synthetic analogue of chrysin can be used to increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer agents.

In a study published by BMC Cancer, Chinese scientists investigated whether 5-allyl-7-gen-difluoromethoxychrysin (AFMC) could inhibit proliferation in various cancer cell lines and promote tumour necrosis.

In a method involving flow cytometry, propidium iodide fluorescence staining and agarose gel electrophoresis, the scientists found that subtoxic concentrations of AFMC make human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) A549 cells more sensitive to tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) mediated apoptosis.

Additionally, the study found that treating A549 cells with AFMC considerably provoked the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5), while also increasing the proliferation of Sub-G1 cells.

However, AFMC-mediated induction of DR5 expression was not observed in human embryo lung WI-38 cells, and AFMC did not makeWI-38 cells more sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

The team suggested that AFMC "synergistically enhances TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in NSCLC cells" by increasing the amounts of DR5.