In vitro cytotoxic effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib malate alone and in combination with hyperthermia on breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells.

In this study, the in vitro cytotoxic effect of sunitinib malate alone and combination with hyperthermia was evaluated on MCF-7 cells (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line).

For this purpose cell proliferation assay, mitotic index and labelling index analysis among cell kinetic parameters were assessed. Sunitinib malate doses of 1, 5 and 10 μM were applied alone and in combination with hyperthermia to cells for 24-72 hrs.

A significant decrease (p<0.05) was noticed in cell proliferation, mitotic index and labelling index for all experimental groups and for all applications.

Labeling index and mitotic index values show that sunitinib malate combined with hyperthermia was significantly more effective in MCF-7 cells than when given alone. This combination acts through synergistic and additive effects.