Possible Synergistic Effect of Tempol on SCC Treatment and Surgery: An in vitro Study

Background and Objective: Skin and mucosal Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCCs) are malignant tumours that grow rapidly and cause tissue destruction. Especially, in oral perioral region SCCs where aesthetic and functional repair is required, keeping the excision minimally facilitates the reconstruction. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy with antineoplastic such as cisplatin is of great importance in reducing excision or preventing late-term recurrence in SCCs. TPL induces apoptosis of various tumour cells and has the potential to reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutics. This study aimed to investigate whether tempol will have a synergistic effect with cisplatin, which is used as a traditional chemotherapeutic agent. Materials and Methods: A431 cells (5x104 cells cm(-2)) were exposed to 2-8 mM TPL and 10-80 mu M CIS for 48 hrs. The expression and activity of cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, Wee 1, GADD153, GRP78 and AIF proteins were examined by ELISA assay in HT29 cells. Results: The data from the ELISA assay indicated that the activities of proapoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved-Caspase 3, Wee 1, GRP78, GADD153 and AIF in human Co-administration of cisplatin with tempol increased apoptotic proteins and decreased cell viability more than their administration alone. Conclusion: In conclusion, study results have shown that tempol can potentiate the effect of cisplatin, which is used as a chemotherapeutic agent, especially in the treatment of SCC, with its potential to reduce its side effects.