Antitumor Effects of Hydromorphone on Human Gastric Cancer Cells in vitro

INTRODUCTION: Experimental data indicate that morphine and fentanyl may have antitumor effects in gastric cancer cells (GC). Hydromorphone, as an analgesic, is used against refractory cancer pain in recent years. However, the data on hydromorphone influencing the biological characteristics of human gastric cancer cells are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate how hydromorphone affected the growth of human gastric cancer in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human GC cell lines (HGC-27, MGC-803, AGS and SGC-7901) and human gastric epithelial cells GSE-1 were exposed to various concentrations of hydromorphone (0–800μM). The cell viability, invasion and migration abilities were measured using cell counting kit-8, Transwell and wound healing assays. Apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Hydromorphone was toxic in GSE-1 cells at the concentration 800μM. It showed enhanced antitumor effects at a longer incubation time and higher concentrations in HGC-27, MGC-803, AGS and SGC-7901 cells. Hydromorphone inhibited the progression of MGC- 803 cells by cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. CONCLUSION: Hydromorphone suppresses the proliferation of human GC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. That may provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of hydromorphone in the safe and effective treatment of GC.