Cytotoxic Properties of Sunitinib and Sorafenib on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Purpose: To generate toxicology profiles of individual drugs on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) and compare their in vitro cytotoxicity.

Methods: Monolayer cultures of HCEC were harvested from two human donor eyes. Sunitinib (0.3–10 µg/mL) and Sorafenib (0.3–100 µg/mL), diluted in culture medium (CnT-BM.1, CELLnTEC Advanced Cell Systems AG, Bern, Switzerland), 1% Penicillin and 1% Streptomycin were added to cells that were being grown in cell culture dishes. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) was performed 24 hours, three days and five days after incubation. Live/dead viability/cytotoxicity assay (Live/dead assay) was performed and analyzed using fluorescence microscopy after 24 hours of incubation. The expression of p63, ABCG2 and PDGFRβ was evaluated by immunocytochemistry prior to exposure. Cell morphology was assessed with a phase contrast microscope after 24 hours of exposure.

Results: Significant toxicity of Sunitinib was seen at concentrations of >3.3 µg/mL and of Sorafenib at concentrations of >1.0 µg/mL after 24 hours of incubation. Both drugs exhibited increasing toxicities over time. HCEC stained positively for p63, ABCG2 and PDGFRβ. In comparison, the IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50) of Sorafenib was 2.26 times the IC50 of Sunitinib using Live/dead assay after 24 hours and 2.39, 1.29 and 0.78 times the IC50 of Sunitinib using the MTT test after 24 hours, three days and five days, respectively.

Conclusions: These in vitro experimental findings support the safety of Sunitinib and Sorafenib on HCEC when used at a concentration of <3.3 µg/mL and <1.0 µg/mL, respectively, after 24 hours of exposure. The in vitro cytotoxicity of Sorafenib on HCEC was higher than Sunitinib.

• Corneal vascularization
• human corneal epithelial cells
• platelet-derived growth factor
• sorafenib
• sunitinib
• vascular endothelial growth factor