chemosensitizing potential of methylglyoxal with metronomic cyclophosphamide in breast cancer therapy: 𝐼𝑛 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑜 and 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑜 evidence

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignancy globally, presents treatment challenges due to drug resistance and chemotherapy-associated toxicity. metronomic chemotherapy, involving continuous low-dose administration of chemotherapeutic agents, enhances efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. methylglyoxal (mgo), a reactive dicarbonyl compound with potent anticancer properties, exhibits pro-apoptotic, oxidative stress-modulating, and anti-metastatic effects. this study explores mgo’s potential as a chemosensitizer in combination with metronomic cyclophosphamide in breast cancer models. in vitro, mgo showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity in mcf-7 and mda-mb-231 cells, with heightened sensitivity in mda-mb-231 cells. combination treatment significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ros) generation and apoptosis in both cell lines. in vivo, combination therapy achieved substantial tumor regression, with one regimen reducing tumor volume by 91.8%. treatment also restored antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced serum cancer marker enzymes. these findings demonstrate mgo’s potential as a chemo-sensitizing agent that enhances metronomic cyclophosphamide’s efficacy by modulating tumor growth, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and metastasis. further research into its molecular mechanisms and clinical applications could yield a promising strategy for breast cancer therapy.