Laetrile and Methotrexate: A Dual-Drug Approach to Inhibiting Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation

Kawakeb N.  Abdulla; Rasha Kareem  Khudhur; Ali Muafaq  Said; Azal Hamoody  Jumaa; Youssef Shakuri  Yasin

doi:10.30683/1929-2279.2025.14.06

Laetrile and Methotrexate: A Dual-Drug Approach to Inhibiting Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation

Authors

Kawakeb N. Abdulla Iraqi National Cancer Research Center/University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Rasha Kareem Khudhur Pharmacology Department, College of Medicine, University of Misan, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4508-109X
Ali Muafaq Said Al-Amarah University College, Iraq
Azal Hamoody Jumaa Iraqi National Cancer Research Center/University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4412-1357
Youssef Shakuri Yasin Bilad Alrafidain University, Iraq https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1433-1858

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30683/1929-2279.2025.14.06

Keywords:

Cervical cancer, Hela cancer cell line, combination index, dose reduction index, cytotoxicity, laetrile, methotrexate

Abstract

Objective: This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of laetrile methotrexate combination in inhibiting cervical cancer proliferation and identify the synergistic effects between them

Method: During three incubation periods, 24, 48, and 72 hours, the antiproliferative impact of the laetrile and methotrexate combination was assessed by employing the Hela cell line, a human cervical cancer cell line. The concentration range of the tested reagent varied from 0.1 to 1000 µg/ml for each laetrile and methotrexate. At the same time, the concentration of the mixture varied from 0.05 to 500 µg/ml for both laetrile and methotrexate. The combination index value was used to identify whether there was a synergistic impact between laetrile and methotrexate in the combination. The dose reduction index was employed to ascertain the extent of the reduction in the concentration of the constituent mix, which resulted in a notable cytotoxic impact.

Result: The study results revealed that the combination of laetrile and methotrexate successfully inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells in a manner that depended on the concentration and duration of treatment. The combination index value exhibited a significant synergistic impact between laetrile and methotrexate in all concentrations except 1000 µg/ml. Furthermore, the dose reduction index outcomes showed that the combination minimized the required concentration of laetrile and methotrexate.

Conclusion: Concerning the study findings and their defined pharmacokinetic and safety characteristics of mixture drugs. The laetrile-methotrexate mixture offers an attractive and safer option for the treatment of cervical cancer.

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