Effects of prostaglandin E2 and all-trans retinoic acid combination on induced differentiation of human acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells.
OBJECTIVE
A human promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line NB4 was used to demonstrate the synergistic effects between all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on growth inhibition and cytodifferentiation induction.


METHODS
NB4 cells were cultured in the presence of either ATRA or PGE2 as a single agent or in combinations at various ratio. Cell growth was measured and myeloid differentiation was tested on consecutive days over the whole course of culture.


RESULTS
PGE2 and ATRA synergistically induced the myeloid differentiation of NB4 cells. In comparison with ATRA alone, the combination of PGE2 with ATRA caused an almost 20-fold decrease of effective concentration of ATRA.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of ATRA and PGE2 at an appropriate ratio may provide a convenient oral regimen of combined differentiation therapy for a better clinical outcome in APL patients.
Chen
Z
Z
Institute of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital, Suzhou Medical College, Jiangsu Province, China.
Breitman
T R
TR
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000473:pathology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin; D015232:Dinoprostone