Lung tumor development in the presence of sphingosine 1-phosphate agonist FTY720.

Urethane is a chemical carcinogen which causes lung tumorigenesis in mice with similarities to human adenocarcinoma (AC). The sphingosine 1-phosphate agonist FTY720 administered to mice in doses above 5 mg/kg/day has been able to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma and bladder cancer. We used BALB/c mice in urethane-induced lung cancer model to investigate the effects of a lower dose of FTY720 (1 mg/kg/day). The benefits of FTY720 were associated with the time point of the compound administration. FTY720 30 Group presented lower incidence and smaller area of lung nodules, decreased PCNA and increased Caspase-3 expressions. The findings in FTY720 0 Group (nodule multiplicity and area, PCNA expression) were similar to Urethane Group suggesting that the administration of the compound at early time point did not affect lung tumor development. FTY720 90 Group presented the biggest nodule area which was associated with increased PCNA and decreased Caspase-3 expressions. FTY720 (30 days and 90 days) administration decreased CD4 + splenocytes and blood lymphocytes which caused opposite effects in lung tumor development - impairment and improvement respectively.In conclusion, FTY720 in low dose did not provide lung tumor inhibition in mice but its administration 30 days after the chemical carcinogen (Urethane) injection was associated with impaired tumor development.