Triple Effect of Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, Propranolol on Cell Survival on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Abstract

Purpose: Investigating the triple effect of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, propranolol on MCF-7 (ER+, WTp53) breast cancer cell line with MTT test and survival analysis. Materials/Methods: In order to determine effective dosages of a combination of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, propranolol on the MCF-7 cell line by using MTT and survival analysis technique. Result: IC50 values acquired by MTT tests are 0.01 mg/ml for doxorubicin, 6 mg/ml for 5-fluorouracil, 30 mg/ml for propranolol and 0.2/1/30 mg/ml (with previous respect) if all three agents are combined. It is found that the use of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and propranolol in combination is much effective than their single application. Discussion: Moderate concentrations of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and propranolol, if they are applied individually, showed high toxicity. When we used these drugs in combination; toxic effects lessened with respect to monotherapy. In the MCF-7 cell line, doxorubicin (IC50: 0.01 µM) increases cell death rates significantly and propranolol (IC50: 3 µM) has minimum effects in monotherapy in contrast to others. Propranolol is only superior to itself in combination therapy (IC50: 4 µM). However 5-fluorouracil (IC50: 30 µM) showed antagonistic effects with respect to other drugs. Additionally, having applied the three drugs in combination on the MCF-7 cell line for the first time in literature, it is highly possible to assess the application of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and propranolol combination as a novel therapy option.