BE53 - The Effect of Omeprazole on Viability and Mitochondrial Activity on Human Esophageal Cancer Cells
SCURS Disciplines
Cell Biology
Document Type
General Poster
Invited Presentation Choice
Not Applicable
Abstract
The Effect of Omeprazole on Viability and Mitochondrial Activity on Human Esophageal Cancer Cells
Context:
Esophageal cancer remains a highly lethal disease, with over 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Most cases are diagnosed in individuals aged 55 and older, many of whom have preexisting esophageal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett’s esophagus. Many of these patients are prescribed proton pump inhibitors, most commonly omeprazole, which recent studies suggest may have off-target effects on cancer cell survival. This study aims to investigate the effects of low- and high-dose omeprazole on cell viability and chemoresistance in multiple esophageal cancer cell lines.
Objective/Hypothesis:
To determine whether low (10 μM) and high (40 μM) doses of omeprazole reduce esophageal cancer cell viability and assess its potential as an adjuvant or alternative therapeutic option. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of omeprazole would decrease cancer cell proliferation across tested cell lines.
Methods:
Three human esophageal cancer cell lines were used and include; KYAE-1 (distal esophageal adenocarcinoma), OE19 (adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia/esophagogastric junction), and OE33 (adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett’s esophagus). All cell lines were exposed to both a low and high concentration of omeprazole (10 μM and 40 μM). Paclitaxel served as the positive control due to its chemotherapeutic properties known to reduce cancer cell viability. Dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO, served as the negative control. Cell viability and proliferation were measured biweekly using the Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay and the MTS assay. Data collection and analysis are ongoing, with three weeks of experimentation still to be completed, such as lysate collection and PCR analysis.
Results:
Preliminary findings in all cell lines demonstrated greater reduction in cell viability with the 40 μM concentration compared to the 10 μM dose. Comprehensive statistical analysis is pending. Upon completion of the experiments, additional MTS and Trypan Blue Live/Dead Exclusion Assays will be conducted to quantitatively assess proliferation rates and evaluate statistical significance across cell lines. In addition, we plan to collect lysates and conduct a PCR analysis to understand the genetic implications of prolonged exposure to the treatments, especially in relation to the development of resistance among the cell lines.
Conclusions:
Experimental findings indicate statistically significant changes, including reduction in cell line viability in both high and low doses of omeprazole. These results indicate the potential value of further research into omeprazole as an adjuvant therapeutic option for various types of esophageal cancer.
Keywords
Esophageal Cancer, Omeprazole, MTS Assay, Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay, Cell viability, Cell Proliferation, Cytostatic
Start Date
10-4-2026 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
10-4-2026 11:30 AM
BE53 - The Effect of Omeprazole on Viability and Mitochondrial Activity on Human Esophageal Cancer Cells
University Readiness Center Greatroom
The Effect of Omeprazole on Viability and Mitochondrial Activity on Human Esophageal Cancer Cells
Context:
Esophageal cancer remains a highly lethal disease, with over 500,000 deaths worldwide each year. Most cases are diagnosed in individuals aged 55 and older, many of whom have preexisting esophageal conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett’s esophagus. Many of these patients are prescribed proton pump inhibitors, most commonly omeprazole, which recent studies suggest may have off-target effects on cancer cell survival. This study aims to investigate the effects of low- and high-dose omeprazole on cell viability and chemoresistance in multiple esophageal cancer cell lines.
Objective/Hypothesis:
To determine whether low (10 μM) and high (40 μM) doses of omeprazole reduce esophageal cancer cell viability and assess its potential as an adjuvant or alternative therapeutic option. We hypothesized that higher concentrations of omeprazole would decrease cancer cell proliferation across tested cell lines.
Methods:
Three human esophageal cancer cell lines were used and include; KYAE-1 (distal esophageal adenocarcinoma), OE19 (adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia/esophagogastric junction), and OE33 (adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett’s esophagus). All cell lines were exposed to both a low and high concentration of omeprazole (10 μM and 40 μM). Paclitaxel served as the positive control due to its chemotherapeutic properties known to reduce cancer cell viability. Dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO, served as the negative control. Cell viability and proliferation were measured biweekly using the Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay and the MTS assay. Data collection and analysis are ongoing, with three weeks of experimentation still to be completed, such as lysate collection and PCR analysis.
Results:
Preliminary findings in all cell lines demonstrated greater reduction in cell viability with the 40 μM concentration compared to the 10 μM dose. Comprehensive statistical analysis is pending. Upon completion of the experiments, additional MTS and Trypan Blue Live/Dead Exclusion Assays will be conducted to quantitatively assess proliferation rates and evaluate statistical significance across cell lines. In addition, we plan to collect lysates and conduct a PCR analysis to understand the genetic implications of prolonged exposure to the treatments, especially in relation to the development of resistance among the cell lines.
Conclusions:
Experimental findings indicate statistically significant changes, including reduction in cell line viability in both high and low doses of omeprazole. These results indicate the potential value of further research into omeprazole as an adjuvant therapeutic option for various types of esophageal cancer.