A Clinical Sulfonamide Derivative Inhibits B-Raf Protein in Colorectal Cancer and Melanoma Cells. Is It a New Target for Cancer?

Abstract

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer spreading quickly around the world. Melanoma is an aggressive and lethal form of skin cancer. One of the striking biomarkers in cancer is carbonic anhydrase (CA)-IX, which catalyzes the hydration of carbon dioxide (CO2). CA inhibitors are being used clinically and studied extensively in clinical research. This study aimed to examine the CA inhibitor acetazolamide (AZA) in terms of the B-Raf protein in colorectal cancer and the melanoma cell line. Materials and Methods: HT29 human colorectal cancer cells and A375 human melanoma cells were cultured. The appropriate dose of AZA on the cells was determined by the WST-1 test. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the effect of AZA on the B-Raf protein in HT29 and A375 cells. Results: HT29 and A375 cell lines treated with AZA showed a dramatic decrease in CA-IX levels (p<0.05). In addition, AZA significantly reduced B-Raf protein levels in the HT29 and A375 cell lines (p<0.05, for both). Conclusion: This study revealed AZA, a CA inhibitor, to be effective in CRC and melanoma. In future studies, combining the effects of AZA and B-Raf inhibitors may present an alternative approach in cancer treatment.

Keywords

• Acetazolamide
• B-Raf
• carbonic anhydrase-IX
• colorectal cancer
• melanoma

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