AIM: To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of gemcitabine combined with gum mastic and the underlying mechanisms in human pancreatic cancer cell lines. METHODS: Cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and propidium iodine staining, respectively. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, NF-kappaB p65 subunit, and IkappaBalpha protein was measured using Western blotting. RESULTS: Gemcitabine 0.01-100 microg/mL inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 and COLO 357 cells. Gum mastic 40 microg/mL significantly potentiated the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of gemcitabine 10 microg/mL after 72-h treatment. When cells were treated with gemcitabine in combination with gum mastic, the IkappaBalpha level was increased, whereas NF-kappaB activation was blocked; the expression of Bax protein was substantially increased, but Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated. CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine combined with gum mastic causes potent apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. The combination may be an effective therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
AIM: To investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of gemcitabine combined with gum mastic and the underlying mechanisms in humanpancreatic cancer cell lines. METHODS: Cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and propidium iodine staining, respectively. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, NF-kappaB p65 subunit, and IkappaBalpha protein was measured using Western blotting. RESULTS:Gemcitabine 0.01-100 microg/mL inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both pancreatic cancer BxPC-3 and COLO 357 cells. Gum mastic 40 microg/mL significantly potentiated the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of gemcitabine 10 microg/mL after 72-h treatment. When cells were treated with gemcitabine in combination with gum mastic, the IkappaBalpha level was increased, whereas NF-kappaB activation was blocked; the expression of Bax protein was substantially increased, but Bcl-2 protein was down-regulated. CONCLUSION:Gemcitabine combined with gum mastic causes potent apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. The combination may be an effective therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
Authors: Sanjeev Banerjee; Yuxiang Zhang; Shadan Ali; Mohammad Bhuiyan; Zhiwei Wang; Paul J Chiao; Philip A Philip; James Abbruzzese; Fazlul H Sarkar Journal: Cancer Res Date: 2005-10-01 Impact factor: 12.701
Authors: Bridget N Fahy; Michael G Schlieman; Melinda M Mortenson; Subbulakshmi Virudachalam; Richard J Bold Journal: Cancer Chemother Pharmacol Date: 2005-03-25 Impact factor: 3.333