Peptide YY inhibits the growth of Barrettʹs esophageal adenocarcinoma in vitro

Background Peptide YY (PYY) is an endogenous gut hormone that inhibits the growth of certain cancers. Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus usually arises from Barrettʹs esophagus. We hypothesized that treatment of Barrettʹs adenocarcinoma with PYY would result in decreased proliferation. Methods Barrettʹs cancer cell lines (BIC and SEG-1) were treated with PYY (3-36) at 500 pmol/mL. Viability was measured by MTT at 24 and 72 hours. Apoptosis and necrosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results PYY reduced proliferation in SEG-1 cells at 24 hours (21.2% ± 3.4%, P <0.001) and 72 hours (14.2% ± 6.2%, P <0.001). In the BIC cells, growth was inhibited by 7.9% ± 7.0%, P = 0.021 after 72 hours. PYY increased late apoptotic activity in SEG-1 cells by 31%, P = 0.014. Conclusions This is the first report of antiproliferative effects of PYY against Barrettʹs carcinoma in vitro. Reductions in cell growth appear to be mediated by proapoptotic mechanisms. Further investigation of PYY in the treatment of Barrettʹs adenocarcinoma is warranted.