Growth inhibition of head and neck carcinomas by D-allose

Background An inhibitory effect of D‐allose, a rare sugar, on several cancer cell lines has been reported. This study aimed to investigate the growth inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells by D‐allose. Methods We treated 3 head and neck carcinoma cell lines with D‐allose, D‐fructose, D‐psicose, and D‐glucose. Cell growth assays as well as analyses of messenger RNA (mRNA) expression, cell cycle, apoptosis, and uptake of 14C‐glucose were performed. Results D‐allose had inhibitory effects on all 3 cell lines and tended to upregulate mRNA expression of glucose transporters, p21 and p53, and downregulate mRNA expression of cyclin A2, cyclin B1, and CDC2. We observed that D‐allose tended to interfere with the intracellular uptake of D‐glucose and induced apoptosis. Conclusion Our results indicate that D‐allose inhibits the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. D‐allose has a considerable potential as a new anticancer agent in those patients. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009