Gastric cancer (GC) with more than 1 million individuals newly diagnosed annually worldwide constitutes a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Chronic inflammatory reactions promoted GC initiation are associated with activation and enhanced release of pro-inflammatory mediators including cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of montelukast (MLT), a leukotriene inhibitor, reported effective in treating certain cancers on GC-associated tumor initiation and progression. This study investigated the influence of MLT on migration, invasion, and apoptosis utilizing gastric cancer cells MGC803. Compared to MGC803 cells, incubation with MLT for 24 hr initiated cytotoxic effects on these cells in a concentration‑dependent manner as evidenced by (1) significantly reduced cell migration and invasiveness; (2) enhanced apoptosis and; (3) altered the cell cycle profile with increased proportions of cells in S-phase accompanied by decreased cellular proportions of G2-phase. Data suggest that MLT suppression of migration and invasion of gastric cancer MGC803 cells, activation of apoptosis, and modulation of the cell cycle may be considered as potential targets in therapy of GC.
Shi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.