Screening of a Natural Product Library for the Discovery of Novel Leukemia Therapeutics

Authors

  • Kayla Michelle Hancher West Liberty University
  • Deanna Schmitt West Liberty University
  • Joseph Horzempa West Liberty University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v90i1.377

Keywords:

Leukemia, Extracts, Resazurin

Abstract

Leukemia is the leading cause of death in children. The discovery of effective cancer therapies is imperative to combat this deadly disease. The National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) has comprised a library of over 4,000 organic extracts derived from plants, fungi, marine, and algae species with potential anti-cancer properties. In partnership with NCNPR, we have developed a rapid and effective method for screening large quantities of these organic compounds for anti-cancer efficacy against THP-1 cells (a monocytic leukemia cell line). A microtiter-based AlamarBlue Assay was used to identify extracts that reduced the viability of the THP-1 cells.  For this assay, THP-1 cells were treated with an extract from the NCNPR library and were incubated at 37˚C, 5% CO2 for 24 hours. Subsequently, resazurin was and incubated for an additional 24 hours.  Change to a red color was an indicator of viability.  Cells treated with extracts that produced little to no color change were identified as leads.  One hundred forty-nine lead extracts have been further evaluated for toxicity to HeLa cells (a cervical cancer cell line) to determine whether these compounds may be more broadly applicable.

Author Biographies

Kayla Michelle Hancher, West Liberty University

Department of Biological Sciences and Mathematics

Deanna Schmitt, West Liberty University

Department of Biological Sciences and Mathematics

Joseph Horzempa, West Liberty University

Department of Biological Sciences and Mathematics

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Published

2018-04-02

How to Cite

Hancher, K. M., Schmitt, D., & Horzempa, J. (2018). Screening of a Natural Product Library for the Discovery of Novel Leukemia Therapeutics. Proceedings of the West Virginia Academy of Science, 90(1). https://doi.org/10.55632/pwvas.v90i1.377

Issue

Section

Meeting Abstracts-Poster