Tropisetron attenuates tumor growth and progression in an experimental model of mouse lung cancer

The antineoplastic effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor antagonists have been shown in previous studies. However, the exact underlying mechanisms mediating these antineoplastic effects are unclear. In the present study, we assessed the antineoplastic effects of tropisetron, a 5-HT receptor antagonist, in an experimental model of lung cancer in BALB/c mouse. Lewis lung carcinoma cell line was used to induce lung cancer. Mice were divided into four groups (n = 6) as follows: tumor-bearing mice + tropisetron (5 mg/kg intraperitoneally IP]), tumor-bearing mice + tropisetron (10 mg/kg IP), tumor-bearing mice + saline, healthy mice + tropisetron (10 mg/kg). Tumor burden, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4, pathological response, Ki-67, and E-cadherin were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Comet assay was used to assess DNA toxicity. Tropisetrone-treated animals (either 5 or 10 mg/kg) showed significantly lower tumor sizes at the day 24th after tumor induction. Tropisetron received animals also showed significantly higher levels of IFN-γ, E-cadherin, pathologic response, and necrotic cells compared to the saline-treated counterparts. In addition, the levels of IL-4, and Ki-67 were significantly lower in tropisetrone treated mice in comparison with control. Furthermore, tropisteron coadministration signifcantly reduced H₂O₂-induced DNA toxicity while treatment with tropisteron alone showed no adverse effect on DNA. Tropisetrone can be used as a potential antineoplastic drug in lung cancer. This agent can promote its antineoplastic effects in part through modulating inflammatory and proliferating markers.