Suppression of Lung Cancer Cell Motility and Growth by Lycopene via MMP-2/9 Modulation

INTRODUCTION: Lycopene, a naturally occurring carotenoid, has attracted considerable attention due to its potential anticancer properties. Previous studies suggest that it may inhibit tumor progression through multiple mechanisms, including suppression of cell proliferation and migration.
METHODS: In this study, the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of lycopene were evaluated in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay after 48 hours of exposure to increasing concentrations of lycopene (1.96875–63 µg). Cell migration was analyzed using a wound healing assay. Additionally, the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) were measured by ELISA to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
RESULTS: Lycopene reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC₅₀ value of 22.57 μM. At this concentration, lycopene significantly inhibited cell migration compared to the control group (P < 0.001), and this inhibitory effect increased over time. Furthermore, lycopene treatment led to a significant decrease in MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels by approximately 20% and 24%, respectively (P < 0.001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that lycopene effectively suppresses both proliferation and migration of A549 cells. The observed effects may be associated with the downregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which play key roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Overall, lycopene shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for lung cancer, although further studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and clarify its mechanisms of action.

Keywords: cancer, elisa, lycopene, A549, MMP2-9