Modulation of VEGF and TGF beta in 5-FU induced inflammation in MCF-7 using an herbal formulation

Acquired drug resistance is an increasing challenge in treating cancer with chemotherapy. One mechanism behind this resistance is the increased inflammation that supports the progression and development of cancer that arises because of the drug’s presence.
Integrative oncology is the field that focuses on including natural products alongside traditional therapy to create a treatment that focuses on holistic patient well-being. In this in vitro study, we hypothesized that the use of an herbal formulation, consisting of turmeric and green tea, alongside a traditional chemotherapeutic drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), can reduce the expression of two pro-cancer cytokines in breast cancer cells.
Breast cancer cells were cultured and then treated with both 5-FU and the herbal formulation. We conducted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to measure VEGF and TGFβ in the cell culture supernatant. The results clearly demonstrate that the use of the herbal formulation alongside the chemo drug significantly decreases the level of cytokines produced when compared to the levels produced when exposed solely to the chemo drug.
Hence, we conclude that this combination of treatment, based on the principle of integrative oncology, shows potential for reducing the resistance against treatment conferred through increased inflammation. Consequently, this suggests a prospective way forward in improving the efficacy of cancer treatment.