Cefepime, a Cephalosporin, Induces the Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in Nb2a Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract

Neuroblastoma, heterogeneous solid children tumour, usually shows high proliferation and metastase rates. As such, it is important to find more effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Cefepime is an antibiotic that belongs to the cephalosporins. Due to the some cephalosporins antitumour potential, this study aimed to investigate the apoptotic and oxidative stress effects of cefepime in NB2a neuroblastoma cell line using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry analysis. The cell viability and Annexin V results demonstrated that cefepime showed antiapoptotic effects. Cefepime arrested the cells in the S and G2/M phases. In addition it increased the oxidative stress and decreased the cell proliferation. It can be concluded that the cefepime exhibits anticancer potential to neuroblastoma cell and thus warrant further studies to assess its potential effects on the other cancer types.