Induction of selective apoptosis in human melanoma cells by a curcumin analogue compound A; positive interaction with standard chemotherapeutics
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Siyaram Pandey
Proposal
Krishan Parashar Siddhartha Sood January 31, 2019
Induction of selective apoptosis in human melanoma cells by a curcumin analogue compound A; positive interaction with standard chemotherapeutics
Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy that arises from melanocytes in the deeper skin layers. Melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. First line treatment for localized melanoma is surgical excision. Chemotherapies are also used along with radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Despite these treatments, the survival rate for malignant melanoma remains relatively low. Curcumin is naturally available as Curcuma longa(turmeric) and thus far has shown to have some anti-cancer activity on cancer cells. However, due to its poor bioavailability and stability, natural curcumin is not an effective treatment for melanoma. Our collaborators synthesized derivatives of curcumin (analogues) that are more stable and bioavailable. In this study, our objective was to assess the effectiveness and selectiveness of a curcumin analogue, compound A on melanoma cells. We also investigated its combined effect with standard chemotherapeutics. We used morphological and biochemical assays to determine cell viability and apoptosis (cell suicide) in cancer cells following treatment. Preliminary results have shown that compound A is effective in inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells, and further work will determine its interactions with common chemotherapeutics. Preliminary work also shows that compound A is selective and interacts positively with other chemotherapeutics. The result of this work could lead to a more effective and safer melanoma treatment using compound A alone, or in combination with taxol and cisplatin.
Location
CAW Centre
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Special Considerations
N/A.
Induction of selective apoptosis in human melanoma cells by a curcumin analogue compound A; positive interaction with standard chemotherapeutics
CAW Centre
Krishan Parashar Siddhartha Sood January 31, 2019
Induction of selective apoptosis in human melanoma cells by a curcumin analogue compound A; positive interaction with standard chemotherapeutics
Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy that arises from melanocytes in the deeper skin layers. Melanoma is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. First line treatment for localized melanoma is surgical excision. Chemotherapies are also used along with radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. Despite these treatments, the survival rate for malignant melanoma remains relatively low. Curcumin is naturally available as Curcuma longa(turmeric) and thus far has shown to have some anti-cancer activity on cancer cells. However, due to its poor bioavailability and stability, natural curcumin is not an effective treatment for melanoma. Our collaborators synthesized derivatives of curcumin (analogues) that are more stable and bioavailable. In this study, our objective was to assess the effectiveness and selectiveness of a curcumin analogue, compound A on melanoma cells. We also investigated its combined effect with standard chemotherapeutics. We used morphological and biochemical assays to determine cell viability and apoptosis (cell suicide) in cancer cells following treatment. Preliminary results have shown that compound A is effective in inducing apoptosis in melanoma cells, and further work will determine its interactions with common chemotherapeutics. Preliminary work also shows that compound A is selective and interacts positively with other chemotherapeutics. The result of this work could lead to a more effective and safer melanoma treatment using compound A alone, or in combination with taxol and cisplatin.