World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

LC–MS–ASSISTED ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION OF AZACITIDINE AND ITS ANTIPROLIFERATIVE POTENTIAL IN PANCREATIC CANCER CELL LINE MODELS

Bilquis Begum*, Dr. Syed Ahmed Hussain, Ghousia Begum, Nada Ahmed Al Amoodi, Fariya Sultana, Somabatthini Shruthi, Ayesha Ayub Khan, Muskan Khatoon

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the in vitro antitumor activity of Azacitidine, a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, compared to Gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cell line models (PANC-1, MIA PaCa-2, AsPC-1). A five-assay panel was designed to evaluate both cell viability and apoptosis. Viability assays (Resazurin/Alamar Blue and ATP Luminescence) showed that Azacitidine reduced metabolic activity to 57% and 53% relative to vehicle, slightly less potent than Gemcitabine (44% and 39%). Cytotoxicity assays revealed that Azacitidine induced substantial apoptosis (45% apoptotic cells, 2.8-fold caspase-3/7 activation, 46% LDH release), approaching Gemcitabine’s levels (59%, 3.7-fold, and 60%). These findings suggest that Azacitidine exerts moderate cytotoxic and apoptotic effects, likely through epigenetic reprogramming and activation of apoptotic signaling cascades. While its potency is slightly lower than Gemcitabine, Azacitidine’s dual action as an epigenetic modulator and apoptosis inducer highlights its potential as a combination or sensitizing agent in pancreatic cancer therapy.

[Full Text Article]   [Download Certificate]