Ping Wang1,2,#, Yan-Han Chen1,2,#, Ze-Tao Zhan1,2, Jun-Xiang Zeng1,2, Yu Chen3,4, Yuan Lin1,2, Tao Chen1,5,*, Wei-Jie Zhou1,2,5,*
Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.071902
- 19 January 2026
Abstract Background: Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative widely used in vaccines. This study aimed to investigate its potential antitumor effects and mechanisms in solid malignancies, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC) and melanoma. Methods: A combination of in vitro and in vivo approaches was employed. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, ATP viability, Western blotting, flow cytometry, wound-healing and Transwell assays. Subcutaneous, lung metastases, and Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium Salt (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-associated CRC models were established to examine antitumor efficacy and safety. The functional role of mercury ions was validated using structural… More >