(−)-gossypol inhibits growth and promotes apoptosis of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in vivo

Resistance to chemotherapy is a common problem encountered in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Chemoresistant HNSCC tumors frequently overexpress antiapoptotic proteins, such as BCI-xL. (−)-Gossypol, the negative enantiomer of a cottonseed polyphenol, binds to BCI-xL and was recently been shown to inhibit HNSCC proliferation in vitro. In this study, we assessed the in vivo efficacy of (−)-gossypol in an orthotopic xenograff model of HNSCC, using two human HNSCC cell lines with high BCI-xL expression levels. Both produced tumors in a murine floor-of-mouth model that mimics human HNSCC, exhibiting growth and invasion into adjacent tissues. Mice were randomized into three groups: vehicle control and two daily intraperitoneal (−)-gossypol treatment groups (5 and 15 mg/kg). Tumors were measured twice weekly. In the control group, tumors grew progressively, whereas in (−)-gossypol treatment groups, tumor growth was significantly suppressed. The mitotic rate in tumors from (−)-gossypol-treated animals was significantly lower than that in controls, and an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells was observed in treated tumors versus controls. Residual tumors remained growth-suppressed for 2 weeks after cessation of (−)-gossypol treatment. Our results demonstrate that (−)-gossypol can inhibit tumor growth in an orthotopic model of aggressive HNSCC.