Fucoidan Independently Enhances Activity in Human Immune Cells and Has a Cytostatic Effect on Prostate Cancer Cells in the Presence of Nivolumab

• Published in: Marine drugs 2021-12, Vol.20 (1), p.12
• Main Authors: Park, Ah Young, Nafia, Imane, Stringer, Damien N, Karpiniec, Samuel S, Fitton, J Helen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Aquatic Organisms; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Cell cycle; Cell growth; Cell Line, Tumor - drug effects; Cell proliferation; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cytostatic Agents - chemistry; Cytostatic Agents - pharmacology; Drug dosages; Drug Synergism; Fucoidan; Fucus; Hormones; human peripheral blood mononucleocytes; Humans; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors - chemistry; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors - pharmacology; Immune system; Immunotherapy; In vivo methods and tests; Interferon; Leukocytes (mononuclear); Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Lung cancer; Lymphocytes; Macrocystis; Male; Melanoma; Metastasis; Monoclonal antibodies; Nivolumab; Nivolumab - chemistry; Nivolumab - pharmacology; PC3; Peripheral blood mononuclear cells; Phaeophyceae; Polysaccharides - chemistry; Polysaccharides - pharmacology; Proliferation; Prostate cancer; Seaweeds; T cell receptors; Targeted cancer therapy; Undaria; γ-Interferon
• ISSN: 1660-3397; 1660-3397
• DOI: 10.3390/md20010012

Fucoidan compounds may increase immune activity and are known to have cancer inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of fucoidan compounds on ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and to determine their cancer cell killing activity both solely, and in combination with an immune-checkpoint inhibitor drug, Nivolumab. Proliferation of PBMCs and interferon gamma (IFNγ) release were assessed in the presence of fucoidan compounds extracted from , and . Total cell numbers and cell killing activity were assessed using a hormone resistant prostate cancer cell line, PC3. All fucoidan compounds activated PBMCs, and increased the effects of Nivolumab. All fucoidan compounds had significant direct cytostatic effects on PC3 cells, reducing cancer cell numbers, and PBMCs exhibited cell killing activity as measured by apoptosis. However, there was no fucoidan mediated increase in the cell killing activity. In conclusion, fucoidan compounds promoted proliferation and activity of PBMCs and added to the effects of Nivolumab. Fucoidan compounds all had a direct cytostatic effect on PC3 cells, as shown through their proliferation reduction, while their killing was not increased.