Epitalon Peptide Significantly Reduces Colon Cancer Growth in Rat Model

Colorectal cancer, often referred to as colon cancer, remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Its development, known as carcinogenesis, involves uncontrolled cell proliferation and impaired programmed cell death (apoptosis). While various therapeutic strategies exist, there's a continuous search for novel compounds that can modulate these cellular processes. This study specifically aimed to investigate the effects of the synthetic peptide Epitalon on proliferative activity and apoptosis within colon tumors and surrounding mucosa in a rat model of colon carcinogenesis.

The administration of Epitalon demonstrated significant anti-carcinogenic effects. Treated rats showed a 43% reduction in the average number of colon tumors compared to the control group (p<0.01). Furthermore, Epitalon significantly altered cellular dynamics within the tumors: > In tumor tissues, Epitalon treatment led to a 55% decrease in proliferative activity (Ki-67 index) and a remarkable 2.8-fold increase in the rate of apoptosis (programmed cell death) compared to untreated controls (p<0.001 for both parameters). Importantly, these beneficial effects were largely localized to tumor tissue, with no significant adverse changes observed in the healthy colon mucosa, suggesting a targeted action. The average tumor volume was also reduced by 38% in the Epitalon group (p<0.05).