The action of propolis in combination with tamoxifen on breast cancer cells and on human monocytes: a new therapeutic approach?

• Grant number: 16/09986-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2017
• End date: January 24, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Ethnopharmacology
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: José Maurício Sforcin
• Grantee: Eliza de Oliveira Cardoso
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer is a disease that affects millions of people in different continents, resulting in millions of deaths annually. In order to study new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment, tumor cell lines such as MCF-7 have been used in in vitro assays. Tamoxifen has been used to treat breast cancer. Considering the side effects caused by anticancer agents, such as toxicity, induction of resistance in tumor cells and immunosuppression, the administration of natural products simultaneously with drugs has been investigated. Propolis displays cytotoxic activity against tumor cells and exerts modulatory effects on immune cells. This study aims to investigate the cytotoxic effect of the combination between propolis and tamoxifen (P + TAM) on MCF-7 cells and on human monocytes. After, the immunomodulatory properties of P + TAM will be assessed on cell markers expression, cytokine and hydrogen peroxide production, and on the fungicidal activity of monocytes against Candida albicans. The effects of P + TAM on monocytes in the tumor environment will be evaluated, assessing the effects of mediators released by these cells on proliferation, cell migration and invasion of MCF-7 cells. This work will be done in continuity of previous studies of our group, aiming the development of a propolis-containing product to treat cancer in order to reduce the concentrations of tamoxifen, minimize side effects and changes in immune functions, providing a better financial cost, what may be of interest for the pharmaceutical industry. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CARDOSO, ELIZA DE OLIVEIRA; SANTIAGO, KARINA BASSO; CONTI, BRUNO JOSE; CONTE, FERNANDA LOPES; TASCA, KAREN INGRID; ROMAGNOLI, GRAZIELA GORETE; GOLIM, MARJORIE DE ASSIS; RAINHO, CLAUDIA APARECIDA; BASTOS, JAIRO KENUPP; SFORCIN, JOSE MAURICIO. razilian green propolis: A novel tool to improve the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory action of docetaxel on MCF-7 breast cancer cells and on women monocyt. Phytotherapy Research, v. 36, n. 1, DEC 2021. (16/09986-4, 17/04138-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CARDOSO, Eliza de Oliveira. Action of propolis combined to docetaxel on breast tumor cells and human monocytes. 2021. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Botucatu Botucatu.