Bromodeoxyuridine and Apoptosis in Tumors
Author Information
Author(s): C.E. Sarraf, T.W. Ansari, P. Conway, M. Notay, S. Hill, M.R. Alison
Primary Institution: Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital
Hypothesis
Can bromodeoxyuridine label S-phase cells that die by apoptosis after treatment with antimetabolites?
Conclusion
S-phase cells in the SaF and CaX tumors and duodenal crypts died by apoptosis after exposure to Ara-C or HU, with higher doses resulting in higher levels of apoptosis but no necrosis.
Supporting Evidence
- Both drugs rapidly reduced the mitotic index in all tissues.
- Apoptotic indices universally rose after treatment with each antimetabolite.
- HU produced higher apoptotic indices than Ara-C in each tissue.
- BrdUrd immunocytochemistry is effective for identifying drug-susceptible cells.
Takeaway
This study shows that certain cancer drugs can cause cancer cells to die in a specific way called apoptosis, which is different from just dying from damage.
Methodology
Male CBA mice bearing SaF or CaX tumors were treated with bromodeoxyuridine followed by Ara-C or HU, and their tissues were examined for apoptosis using electron microscopy.
Limitations
The study did not quantify unlabelled apoptoses and the proportion of healthy cells that were BrdUrd positive after treatment.
Participant Demographics
Male CBA mice bearing SaF or CaX tumors.
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