BIFFO , Stefano

We studied the mechanism of ascorbate toxicity in malignant mesothelioma (MMe) cells. Neutral red uptake showed that ascorbate, but not dehydroascorbate, was highly toxic in the MMe cell lines REN and MM98, and less toxic in immortalized (human mesothelial cells-htert) and primary mesothelial cells. Ascorbate transport inhibitors phloretin,...

Malignant mesothelioma (MMe) is a highly aggressive, lethal tumour requiring the development of more effective therapies. The green tea polyphenol epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits the growth of many types of cancer cells. We found that EGCG is selectively cytotoxic to MMe cells with respect to normal mesothelial cells. MMe cell...

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a poor prognosis disease lacking adequate therapy. We have previously shown that ascorbic acid administration is toxic to MPM cells. Here we evaluated a new combined therapy consisting of ascorbate/epigallocatechin-3-gallate/gemcitabine mixture (called AND, for Active Nutrients/Drug). In vitro effects of...