In vitro Effect of Bisphosphonates on Squamous Cell Carcinoma from Tongue Tissue

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the efficacy of three different types of bisphosphonates: Actonel (risedronate sodium), Fosamax (alendronic acid) and Ossica (ibandronic acid) on a squamous carcinoma cell line (SCC-4) with tongue tissue origin. The cell viability was assessed after a stimulation period of 24h and the Alamar Blue test was performed. The assessment revealed that the viability of squamous cell carcinoma was slightly reduced after treatment with the smallest concentration of bisphosphonates, with a lowest rate (89%) recorded for Actonel. When a concentration of 2 and 2.5 mu M was used, the cell viability was between 85-89% independently of the type of bisphosphonates used. The higher concentrations of 3 mu M, 4 mu M showed a significant reduction of 72% when using Fosamax, and 68% when using Ossica. We can state that the viability of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells decreases as the concentration of bisphosphonates used increases.