Caffeic acid phenethyl ester induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells via inhibition of survivin

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Drug resistance and drug-induced damage of healthy tissuesare major obstacles in cancer treatment. Therefore, to develop efficient anticancer therapy, it is necessary to find compounds that affecttumor cells, but do not exhibit toxicity to healthy cells. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has been demonstrated to have anticancerproperties in many types of cancer. In this study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of CAPE on the RKO colorectal cancer cell line andCCD 841-CoN normal colorectal cell line was investigated. In addition, changes in the survivin expression were determined. According to the results, CAPE decreased cell viability in the RKO cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, CAPE induced apoptoticcell death in approximately 40% of the RKO cells. Furthermore, CAPE treatment increased the Serine 15 (Ser15) and Serine 46 (Ser46)phosphorylation of p53, while decreased the survivin expression. The results suggested that CAPE induced apoptosis by regulating p53phosphorylation, leading to inhibition of the survivin expression. In accordance with the results, it is suggested that CAPE might beevaluated as an alternative drug in cancer therapy and further investigation is needed within this scope.