Mesalazine and Lactoferrin as Potential Adjuvant Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Effects on Cell Viability and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, meaning it is essential to explore all possible strategies for its prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, risk factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, and obesity-which are increasingly prevalent in developed countries-contribute to CRC development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mesalazine (MES) and lactoferrin (LACT) combination on the viability of CRC cells and healthy intestinal epithelial cells, as well as to assess the expression profile of target genes within the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, this study aimed to preliminarily analyze the mechanism of action underlying the combined effects of these compounds. In this study, we used three CRC cell lines (HCT-116, DLD-1, and HT-29) along with the healthy intestinal epithelial cell line CCD 841 CoN. These cells were treated with MES and LACT separately, as well as in combination. We demonstrated that the combination of MES and LACT reduced the viability of CRC cells more effectively than either compound alone, while slightly increasing the viability of normal intestinal epithelial cells. The synergistic effect of MES and LACT may serve as a foundation for developing new treatment strategies for CRC, utilizing compounds with a high safety profile.