Efeitos do fitoquímico cafeína na linhagem celular TPC-1 de carcinoma de tireoide

Abstract

Introduction: Thyroid neoplasia has shown a high incidence in recent years, however, mortality has not followed this trend, since most cases are due to differentiated carcinomas with indolent behavior. When there is no response to traditional therapy, treatment possibilities are extremely limited, currently consisting of the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors that act only palliatively, postponing neoplastic proliferation, in addition to causing side effects that limit quality of life. The search for other treatment possibilities in this scenario brought evidence about the use of phytochemicals and their action on the modulation of purinergic signaling, oxidative stress and carcinogenesis, hypothesizing possible treatment pathways. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of these substances in other neoplasms have already been described, but in thyroid cancer this evidence is still scarce. Objective: to evaluate the antitumor and anti-inflammatory action of the phytochemical caffeine in TPC-1 papillary thyroid cancer cells and in non-tumor control cells. Methodology: Cells were treated with caffeine at concentrations of 0.5 mM; 1 mM; 2 mM; 4 mM and 8 mM for 24 hours and the following parameters were evaluated: cell viability by MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy, cell migration test, evaluation of purinergic system ectonucleotidases activity and oxidative stress markers. Results: Caffeine caused a reduction in cell viability and a reduction in cell migration, related to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen and nitric oxide species, with a reduction in the ability to form tumor antioxidant defenses. A reduction in the activity of the ecto-5'-nucleotidase enzyme was also found, in addition to possible inhibition of the activity of adenosine receptors, because even when the tumor was elevated, it did not show progression. Conclusion: Therefore, through in vitro analysis, it was observed that caffeine can be an effective substance in the adjuvant treatment of refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma by reducing cell viability and proliferation, through mechanisms such as increased production of reactive oxygen species , increased nitric oxide and influence on the purinergic system, but in vivo studies would be necessary to proceed with this hypothesis.