Selective pro-apoptotic and antimigratory effects of polyphenol complex catechin:lysine 1:2 in breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer cell lines

Cancer is a major cause of death in both developed and developing countries. Polyphenols, abundantly found in plants, possess many anticarcinogenic properties, including inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis and inflammation, as well as pro-apoptotic effects. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of a complex of ( + )-catechin with 2 lysines (Cat:Lys) on cancer and non-cancer cells. For this, the in vitro effects of Cat:Lys on the viability, growth, proliferation, apoptosis, nutrient uptake and migration of breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer and non-cancer cell lines was evaluated. We found that Cat:Lys exerted antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects in all breast, pancreatic and colorectal cell lines tested, but with a much less marked amplitude in non-cancer cell lines. It nevertheless interfered with nutrient (H-3-deoxy-D-glucose and H-3-lactate) uptake and with lactate production in both cancer and non-cancer cell lines. Cat:Lys was found to possess selective antimigratory effects in breast, pancreatic and colorectal cancer cell lines compared to non-cancer cell lines. Cat:Lys also exerted pro-apoptotic effects in all the cancer cell lines that we tested, but not in non-cancer breast and pancreatic cell lines. The antimigratory, but not the proapoptotic, effects of Cat:Lys were found to be mediated by JAK2/STAT3 and Wnt pathway inhibition. In conclusion, Cat:Lys is a strong candidate for the development of new, effective anticancer agents against cancer.