Novel therapeutic application of self-assembly peptides targeting the mitochondria in in vitro and in vivo experimental models of gastric cancer

Here, we provide the possibility of a novel chemotherapeutic agent against gastric cancer cells, comprising the combination of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and a mitochondria-targeting self-assembly peptide, which is a phenylalanine dipeptide with triphenyl phosphonium (Mito-FF). The anticancer effects and mechanisms of 5-FU and Mito-FF, individually or in combination, were compared through both in vitro and in vivo models of gastric cancer. Our experiments consistently demonstrated that the 5-FU and Mito-FF combination therapy was superior to monotherapy with either, as manifested by both higher reduction of proliferation as well as an induction of apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, we found that combining 5-FU with Mito-FF leads to a significant increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduction of antioxidant enzymes in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, the inhibition of ROS abrogated the pro-apoptotic effects of combination therapy, suggesting that enhanced oxidative stress could be the principal mechanism of the action of combination therapy. We conclude that the combination of 5-FU and Mito-FF exerts potent antineoplastic activity against gastric cancer cells, primarily by promoting ROS generation and suppressing the activities of antioxidant enzymes.