Interferon-alpha Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Vitro

Overview

Journal Cancer Invest

Specialty Oncology

Date 2008 Jun 28

PMID 18584346

Citations 8

Authors

Konstantin Krasagakis

Sabine Kruger-Krasagakis

George N Tzanakakis

Katherine Darivianaki

Efstathios N Stathopoulos

Androniki D Tosca

Affiliations

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Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma is a tumor with aggressive biological behavior and limited response to chemotherapy. The present study investigated the effect of interferon (IFN)-alpha on growth and apoptosis of Merkel carcinoma cells in vitro. Proliferation of MCC-1 cell line was reduced dose-dependently by IFN-alpha and diminished when higher IFN-alpha concentrations were used. Additionally, IFN-alpha potently decreased DNA-synthesis and Ki67/MIB-1 proliferation index of MCC-1 cultures. Furthermore, IFN-alpha induced dose-dependently apoptosis of MCC-1 cells as shown by caspase-3 activation, and detection of apoptotic DNA strand breaks and fragmented nuclei. These findings suggest that IFN-alpha may have antitumor activity against Merkel cell carcinoma.

Citing Articles

Single-Molecule RNA Sequencing Reveals IFNγ-Induced Differential Expression of Immune Escape Genes in Merkel Cell Polyomavirus-Positive MCC Cell Lines.

Sauerer T, Lischer C, Weich A, Berking C, Vera J, Dorrie J Front Microbiol. 2022; 12:785662.

PMID: 35003017 PMC: 8727593. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.785662.

T-Cell Responses in Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Implications for Improved Immune Checkpoint Blockade and Other Therapeutic Options.

Gehrcken L, Sauerer T, Schaft N, Dorrie J Int J Mol Sci. 2021; 22(16).

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Interferon α Induces the Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells by Activating both the Intrinsic Mitochondrial Pathway and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Pathway.

Shi W, Cao C, Liu L Int J Mol Sci. 2016; 17(11).

PMID: 27827850 PMC: 5133833. DOI: 10.3390/ijms17111832.

Immunotherapy with imiquimod and interferon alfa for metastasized Merkel cell carcinoma.

Wahl R, Braunschweig T, Ghassemi A, Rubben A Curr Oncol. 2016; 23(2):e150-3.

PMID: 27122984 PMC: 4835010. DOI: 10.3747/co.23.2878.

Downregulation of MHC-I expression is prevalent but reversible in Merkel cell carcinoma.

Paulson K, Tegeder A, Willmes C, Iyer J, Afanasiev O, Schrama D Cancer Immunol Res. 2014; 2(11):1071-9.

PMID: 25116754 PMC: 4221542. DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-14-0005.