Effect of Snake Venom Metalloprotease Desintegrin in Hepatocarcinoma Tumor Cells

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. This cancer is associated with cirrhosis following the hepatitis B or C virus infection, alcohol addiction, metabolic liver disease and exposure to dietary toxins such as aflatoxins and aristolochic acid. Studies demonstrate the integration of the HBV genome into liver cell DNA, including cases of patients with HBV-negative serology. Despite advances in prevention techniques, screening, and technology in cancer diagnosis and treatments, the incidence and mortality remain worrisome. Therefore, this research is significant due to the contribution of the development of new biological agents that can be used as monotherapy or adjuvant chemotherapy. Jararhagin, a snake toxin isolated from Bothrops jararaca venom, has been the subject of many studies seeking alternatives for the treatment of cancer. This protein contains the cysteine-rich disintegrin-like metalloproteinase domains and desirable functions to combat tumor cells, such as promoting acute inflammation, damaging the vascular endothelium through the zinc-dependent catalytic domain (responsible for hemorrhagic function) and enzymatically degrading the constituents of the endothelial basement membrane. Due to the antitumor effects of jararhagin presented in previous research, this study aimed to describe the possible antitumor effects of this snake metalloprotease in the murine liver tumor, intending to propose a new therapeutic option in the human liver tumor.