2-Deoxy-glucose Enhances the Effect of Cisplatin and Pemetrexed in Reducing Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Cell Proliferation But Not Spheroid Growth.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a therapy-resistant neoplasm of the pleura. Standard chemotherapy consists of a combination of cisplatin (CPDD) and pemetrexed (PEM). The aim of this study was to assess whether inhibition of aerobic glycolysis by 2-deoxy-glucose (2DG) would enhance the effects of standard chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

MeT-5A, M14K, MSTO and ZL34 cell lines were used. Cell viability with 2DG and cell proliferation and spheroid formation with CPDD+PEM alone and with 2-DG were tested.

RESULTS

Viability with 2-DG was dose-dependent. Cell proliferation with CPDD+PEM on 2D surface was reduced in all cell types, 2-DG inclusion demonstrated a synergistic effect in MSTO and ZL34 cells. Spheroid growth in 3D with CPDD+PEM or CPDD+PEM+2-DG lowered spheroid growth in all cell types.

CONCLUSION

2-DG synergizes with CPDD+PEM in lowering MPM cell proliferation in 2D to <20%. In 3D MPM spheroid growth 2-DG synergism with CPDD+PEM treatment is not maintained.