Resveratrol induces apoptosis and alters gene expression in human fibrosarcoma cells.

Background/aim: Metastatic fibrosarcomas still represent a therapeutic dilemma. Commonly used chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin have been proven effective in fewer than 30% of all cases disseminated of fibrosarcoma. Elderly patients with cardiac disease are not suitable for systemic chemotherapy with doxorubicin. We therefore tested the apoptotic effects of the natural and well-tolerated compound resveratrol on human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080).

Materials And Methods: Vital, apoptotic and necrotic cells were quantified using flow cytometric analysis. Gene expression was analyzed by RNA microarrays.

Results: Application of resveratrol induced apoptotic cell death and significantly reduced proliferation of HT1080 cells. Correspondingly, expression of apoptosis-associated genes was altered in microarray analysis.

Conclusion: This in vitro study demonstrates the anticancer activity of resveratrol against human fibrosarcoma cells. These results provide experimental support for in vivo trials assessing the effect of the natural polyphenol resveratrol.