Study on the inhibition of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on malignant development of breast cancer by synchrotron radiation infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

Objectives

The topic of the relationship between analgesia and cancer recurrence inoncology surgery is a subject of debate in the field. Administering analgesic drugs after breast cancer surgery could potentially impact the long-term outcomes for patients. During breast cancer surgery, DEX, a potent α2 adrenergic receptoragonist, is often administered as an analgesic. Despite its common use, the analgesic effect of DEX and its potential impact on the progression of breast cancer remain uncertain.

Methods

To investigate the impact of DEX on breast cancer cells, cells exposed to DEX were collected and analyzed through cell apoptosis detection and synchrotron radiation micro-infrared spectroscopy.

Results

Following DEX treatment, the absorption peaks of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines showed significant redshift at 1230–1250 cm⁻¹ and 1380–1420 cm⁻¹ bands (p<0.05). The absorption peak in the 1500–1700 cm⁻¹ band decreased (p<0.05), while the 2910–2990 cm⁻¹ absorption peak increased, along with other apoptotic characteristics (p<0.05). Our cell experiment results demonstrated that DEX was capable of protecting cell immunity via the down-regulation of TLR-4 receptor and effectively hindered the growth of breast cancer cells.

Conclusion

The cell and spectrum experiments' results indicate that DEX can encourage tumor cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that DEX is safe to use for breast cancer surgery and pain management.