Synergistic Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Deuterium Oxide in Colon Cancer: An In Vitro Evaluation
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
- 2Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
- 3Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
- 4Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Rize, Türkiye.
- 5Independent Researcher, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Abstract
Objective:: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and deuterium oxide (D2O), known as heavy water, have anticancer properties. However, their combined effects in colon cancer have not been addressed yet. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of CAPE and D2O in colon cancer using in vitro techniques.
Methods:: The cancer cells (HCT-116) were treated with CAPE and D2O alone and in combination to evaluate their cell viability (CV), induction of apoptosis, expression levels of tumor proliferative (AKT, NF-κB, CCND1), tumor suppressor (p16, BAX, TP53, p21) genes, and colony-forming ability, respectively.
Result:: The combined treatment of 10 µM CAPE and 30% D₂O in human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) were significantly: (i)cytotoxic on the CV; (i)induced apoptosis, (iii)downregulated the expression of AKT, NF-κB and CCND1 while upregulated the expression of p16, BAX, and TP53, without altering p21 level, and (iv)suppressed the cells’ colony forming ability, respectively (p<0.05).
Conclusion:: Overall, CAPE and D₂O may be an effective adjuvant for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in colon cancer. However, further research is needed to determine whether their synergistic effects are also selective in other malignancies, as well as with their toxicokinetic potential.
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BibTeX
@article{darama2026synergistic,
title = {{Synergistic Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Deuterium Oxide in Colon Cancer: An In Vitro Evaluation}},
author = {Gülşah Darama and Öykü Bora and Ferhat Bostancı and Leila Mehdizadehtapeh and Serap Andaç and Ismail Hakki Tekiner and Hüseyin Abdik},
journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2175},
url = {https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2175},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Synergistic Effect of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Deuterium Oxide in Colon Cancer: An In Vitro Evaluation
AU - Gülşah Darama
AU - Öykü Bora
AU - Ferhat Bostancı
AU - Leila Mehdizadehtapeh
AU - Serap Andaç
AU - Ismail Hakki Tekiner
AU - Hüseyin Abdik
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/20
JO - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
DO - 10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2175
UR - https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2175
AB - Objective:: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and deuterium oxide (D2O), known as heavy water, have anticancer properties. However, their combined effects in colon cancer have not been addressed yet. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of CAPE and D2O in colon cancer using in vitro techniques. Methods:: The cancer cells (HCT-116) were treated with CAPE and D2O alone and in combination to evaluate their cell viability (CV), induction of apoptosis, expression levels of tumor proliferative (AKT, NF-κB, CCND1), tumor suppressor (p16, BAX, TP53, p21) genes, and colony-forming ability, respectively. Result:: The combined treatment of 10 µM CAPE and 30% D₂O in human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) were significantly: (i)cytotoxic on the CV; (i)induced apoptosis, (iii)downregulated the expression of AKT, NF-κB and CCND1 while upregulated the expression of p16, BAX, and TP53, without altering p21 level, and (iv)suppressed the cells’ colony forming ability, respectively (p<0.05). Conclusion:: Overall, CAPE and D₂O may be an effective adjuvant for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in colon cancer. However, further research is needed to determine whether their synergistic effects are also selective in other malignancies, as well as with their toxicokinetic potential.
SN - 1513-7368
SN - 2476-762X
ER -