"A tricin derivative from Deschampsia antarctica Desv. inhibits colorectal carcinoma growth and liver metastasis through the induction of a specific immune response"

In colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients, distant metastatic disease is present at initial diagnosis in nearly 25% of them. The majority of patients with metastatic CRC have incurable disease; therefore, new therapies are needed. Agents derived from medicinal plants have already demonstrated therapeutic activities in human cancer cells. Antartina™ is an antitumor agent isolated from Deschampsia antarctica Desv. This study aimed to evaluate the antitumor properties of Antartina™ in CRC models. We used human and murine CRC cell lines for investigating proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle effects of Antartina™ therapy in vitro. Avatar and immunocompetent CRC animal models were applied for evaluating the effects of Antartina™ in vivo. Immune response against CRC model was investigated using CTL assay, analyzing dendritic cell activation and intratumor T cell sub-population, and by tumor rechallenge experiments. Antartina™ inhibits in vitro human CRC cell proliferation; however, in vivo experiments in Avatar CRC model Antartina™ display a limited antitumor effect. In an immunocompetent CRC mice model Antartina™ potently inhibited tumor growth and liver metastases, leading to complete tumor regressions in >30% of mice and increased animal survival. In addition, Antartina™ induced a potent specific cytotoxic T cell response against CRC, and a long-lasting antitumor immunity. Interestingly, Antartina™ increased tumor immunogenicity and stimulated dendritic cell activation. No toxic effects were observed at the doses employed. Our findings showed that Antartina™ has the ability to induce antitumor immunity against CRC and can be used to develop new tools for the treatment of CRC.

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