Antitumor activity of α-pinene in T-cell tumors

Cancer Sci. 2024 Apr;115(4):1317-1332. doi: 10.1111/cas.16086. Epub 2024 Jan 26.

Abstract

T-cell acute leukemia and lymphoma have a poor prognosis. Although new therapeutic agents have been developed, their therapeutic effects are suboptimal. α-Pinene, a monoterpene compound, has an antitumor effect on solid tumors; however, few comprehensive investigations have been conducted on its impact on hematologic malignancies. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential benefits of using α-pinene as an antitumor agent for the treatment of T-cell tumors. We found that α-pinene inhibited the proliferation of hematologic malignancies, especially in T-cell tumor cell lines EL-4 and Molt-4, induced mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species accumulation, and inhibited NF-κB p65 translocation into the nucleus, leading to robust apoptosis in EL-4 cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that α-pinene has potential as a therapeutic agent for T-cell malignancies, and further investigation is warranted.

Keywords: T‐cell lymphoma; alpha‐pinene; apoptosis; hematologic malignancies; lymphoblastic leukemia, acute, T‐cell.

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Bicyclic Monoterpenes*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Hematologic Neoplasms*
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neoplasms*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • alpha-pinene
  • NF-kappa B
  • Bicyclic Monoterpenes