In vitro Antiproliferative Activity of Psoralenes and Mytomicyn C on Reconstituted Bladder Mucosa

In this study, we used a new experimental model, proposed by our group, based on in vitro reconstitution of the human neo-bladder to improve pharmacological studies targeted at optimizing endocavity therapy of superficial bladder cancer. In the light of this, we evaluated the antiproliferative activity on neoplastic and normal origin human urothelium of two psoralen derivatives, 4-methyl-11-dimethilaminopropoxy-benzopsoralen (G50-E) and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), which are photosensitized by UVA radiation (photochemotherapy PUVA). The pharmacological treatment effects were evaluated by cytotoxic assay based on intramitochondrial capture of MTT, and by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the cytotoxic effects exerted by the two psoralen derivatives on the neo-bladders were compared to those of mytomicin C, a reference drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of superficial carcinoma bladder relapse. Qualitatively, these investigations confirmed the cytotoxic activity of both psoralen derivatives tested, but, nevertheless, they did not allow a quantitative evaluation of cellular damage.