S-Adenosyl-l-Methionine Overcomes uL3-Mediated Drug Resistance in p53 Deleted Colon Cancer Cells.

PURPOSE

In order to study novel therapeutic approaches taking advantage of natural compounds showing anticancer and anti-proliferative effects, we focused our interest on S-adenosyl-l-methionine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing nucleoside synthesized from adenosine triphosphate and methionine by methionine adenosyltransferase, and its potential in overcoming drug resistance in colon cancer cells devoid of p53.

RESULTS

In the present study, we demonstrated that S-adenosyl-l-methionine overcomes uL3-mediated drug resistance in p53 deleted colon cancer cells. In particular, we demonstrated that S-adenosyl-l-methionine causes cell cycle arrest at the S phase; inhibits autophagy; augments reactive oxygen species; and induces apoptosis in these cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Results reported in this paper led us to propose S-adenosyl-l-methionine as a potential promising agent for cancer therapy by examining p53 and uL3 profiles in tumors to yield a better clinical outcomes.