The Effects of Ibuprofen and Indomethacin on Human Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia K562 Cell Line: An In-Vitro Study

The amount of COX-2 increases in most cancers due to synthesis of prostaglandins. Therefore, COX-2 inhibitors may play an effective role in cancer therapy. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of ibuprofen and indomethacin, as anti-inflammatory drugs, on the K562 cell growth and proliferation. The K562 cells were cultured and treated with different concentrations of indomethacin and ibuprofen. Then, their antitumor effects on K562 cells was assessed via MTT assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] after 72 hours. DAPI staining (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) and DNA electrophoresis were used for study of apoptosis. Ibuprofen and indomethacin had antitumor effect on K562 and this effect increased by raise of time and concentration; so, the maximum of inhibitory effect was observed in higher concentration and 72 hours after the treatment. Statistical analysis indicated that both drugs inhibited the growth of K562 cells (P < 0.05). Based on the results, ibuprofen and indomethacin are effective agents for chronic myeloid leukemia therapy and prevention; but these antitumor properties would warrant further studies on the clinical application.