Cisplatin / GSH Cancer Research Results

Cisplatin, Cisplatin: Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Cisplatin is a chemotherapy medication used to treat various types of cancer. It is a platinum-based drug that works by interfering with the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from reproducing and ultimately leading to cell death.
Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II; CDDP) is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent that forms covalent DNA crosslinks, primarily intrastrand adducts at adjacent guanine bases. These distort DNA structure, block replication and transcription, and activate DNA damage response pathways (ATM/ATR → p53), leading to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Secondary mechanisms include ROS generation, stress MAPK activation, and modulation of NF-κB. Clinical resistance frequently involves enhanced DNA repair (ERCC1/NER), altered drug transport (CTR1, ATP7A/B), and increased antioxidant defenses. Major toxicities include nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and peripheral neuropathy.

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer / Tumor Context Normal Tissue Context TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 DNA crosslink formation (intrastrand adducts) DNA adducts ↑; replication block ↑ Normal dividing cells also affected P, R, G Direct DNA cytotoxicity Cisplatin forms covalent intrastrand crosslinks (primarily at adjacent guanines), distorting DNA and blocking replication and transcription.
2 DNA damage response (ATM / ATR → p53) Checkpoint activation ↑; p53 signaling ↑ ↔ (toxicity in proliferating tissues) R, G Damage signaling cascade DNA distortion activates ATM/ATR pathways leading to p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis.
3 Intrinsic apoptosis (mitochondrial pathway) Bax ↑; Bcl-2 ↓; caspase-9/3 ↑ Nephrotoxicity & ototoxicity risk G Execution of cell death Persistent DNA damage triggers mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and caspase activation.
4 Cell-cycle arrest (G2/M emphasis) G2/M arrest ↑ G Cytostasis → apoptosis Cells accumulate in G2/M phase due to unrepaired DNA lesions.
5 ROS generation / oxidative stress ROS ↑ (secondary mechanism) Oxidative injury ↑ (kidney, cochlea) R, G Stress amplification Cisplatin increases mitochondrial ROS and oxidative stress, contributing to cytotoxicity and organ toxicity.
6 MAPK signaling (JNK / p38 activation) Stress MAPK activation ↑ R, G Stress-response signaling JNK and p38 activation contribute to apoptosis and stress signaling.
7 NF-κB activation (resistance axis) NF-κB ↑ may promote survival R, G Resistance modulation NF-κB activation can reduce sensitivity; inhibition enhances cytotoxicity in some models.
8 DNA repair pathways (NER / ERCC1) NER ↑ → resistance G Resistance determinant Nucleotide excision repair (ERCC1) removes platinum adducts; high ERCC1 correlates with resistance.
9 Drug transport (CTR1 uptake; ATP7A/B efflux) CTR1 ↓ or ATP7A/B ↑ → resistance G Exposure constraint Copper transporters influence intracellular cisplatin accumulation and resistance.
10 Clinical toxicity profile Nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, neurotoxicity Translation constraint Major dose-limiting toxicities arise from DNA damage and oxidative stress in normal tissues.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (DNA aquation and initial adduct formation)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (checkpoint activation / stress signaling)
  • G: >3 hr (apoptosis, phenotype outcomes, resistance development)


GSH, Glutathione: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
Glutathione (GSH) is a thiol antioxidant that scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in the formation of oxidized glutathione (GSSG). Decreased amounts of GSH and a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio in tissues are biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant found in every cell of the body, composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamine, and glycine. It plays a crucial role in protecting cells from oxidative stress, detoxifying harmful substances, and supporting the immune system.
cancer cells can have elevated levels of glutathione, which may help them survive in the oxidative environment created by the immune response and chemotherapy. This can make cancer cells more resistant to treatment.
While glutathione can be obtained from certain foods (like fruits, vegetables, and meats), its absorption from supplements is debated. Some people take N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or other precursors to boost glutathione levels, but the effects on cancer prevention or treatment are still being studied.
Depleting glutathione (GSH) to raise reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a strategy that has been explored in cancer research and therapy.
Many cancer cells have altered redox states and may rely on GSH to survive. Increasing ROS levels can induce stress in these cells, potentially leading to cell death.
Certain drugs and compounds can deplete GSH levels. For example, agents like buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) inhibit the synthesis of GSH, leading to its depletion.
Cancer cells tend to exhibit higher levels of intracellular GSH, possibly as an adaptive response to a higher metabolism and thus higher steady-state levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

"...intracellular glutathione (GSH) exhibits an astounding antioxidant activity in scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS)..."
"Cancer cells have a high level of GSH compared to normal cells."
"...cancer cells are affluent with high antioxidant levels, especially with GSH, whose appearance at an elevated concentration of ∼10 mM (10 times less in normal cells) detoxifies the cancer cells." "Therefore, GSH depletion can be assumed to be the key strategy to amplify the oxidative stress in cancer cells, enhancing the destruction of cancer cells by fruitful cancer therapy."

The loss of GSH is broadly known to be directly related to the apoptosis progression.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
1339- 2DG,  Cisplatin,    2-Deoxy-d-Glucose Combined with Cisplatin Enhances Cytotoxicity via Metabolic Oxidative Stress in Human Head and Neck Cancer Cells
- in-vitro, HNSCC, FaDu
ChemoSen↑, ROS↑, GSH↓, other↓,
5919- Cats,  Cisplatin,    Uncaria tomentosa Leaves Decoction Modulates Differently ROS Production in Cancer and Normal Cells, and Effects Cisplatin Cytotoxicity
- in-vitro, Liver, HepG2
ROS↑, GSH↓, Apoptosis↑, Casp3↑, Casp7↑, NF-kB↓, selectivity↑, ChemoSen↑, chemoP↑,
5041- SAS,  Cisplatin,    Xc− inhibitor sulfasalazine sensitizes colorectal cancer to cisplatin by a GSH-dependent mechanism
- in-vitro, CRC, NA
xCT↓, Inflam↓, Apoptosis↓, GSH↓, ROS↑, TumCG↓, selectivity↑, eff↑, eff↓,
5330- TFdiG,  Cisplatin,    Theaflavin-3,3′-Digallate Enhances the Inhibitory Effect of Cisplatin by Regulating the Copper Transporter 1 and Glutathione in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells
- in-vitro, Ovarian, A2780S - in-vitro, Ovarian, OVCAR-3
selectivity↑, ChemoSen↑, DNAdam↑, GSH↓, CTR1↑,

Showing Research Papers: 1 to 4 of 4

* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 4

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

GSH↓, 4,   ROS↑, 3,   xCT↓, 1,  

Cell Death

Apoptosis↓, 1,   Apoptosis↑, 1,   Casp3↑, 1,   Casp7↑, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

other↓, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

DNAdam↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

TumCG↓, 1,  

Barriers & Transport

CTR1↑, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

ChemoSen↑, 3,   eff↓, 1,   eff↑, 1,   selectivity↑, 3,  

Functional Outcomes

chemoP↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 18

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Total Targets: 0

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: GSH, Glutathione
4 Cisplatin
1 2-DeoxyGlucose
1 Cat’s Claw
1 Sulfasalazine
1 Aflavin-3,3′-digallate
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:197  Target#:137  State#:%  Dir#:1
wNotes=0 sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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