Cytotoxic, chemosensitizing and radiosensitizing effects of curcumin based on thioredoxin system inhibition in breast cancer cells: 2D vs. 3D cell culture system.

Targeting the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase (Trx/TrxR) system is a promising strategy to overcome cancer resistance to conventional therapy. The present study investigated the effect of curcumin on the Trx/TrxR system either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, or radiotherapy in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells seeded in 2 and 3D culture systems. Cell viability, thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) activity, and the genetic expression of Trx, TrxR1, Bcl2 and BAX genes were studied.