[Effect of the change of caspase-3 activity on the neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced apoptosis of large-intestinal carcinoma cells].
OBJECTIVE
To study the change of caspase-3 activity on the neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced apoptosis by hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)/leucovorin (CF) in large-intestinal carcinoma, and to explore its mechanism.


METHODS
HCPT 100 mg/dt-5, 5-Fu 500 mg/dt-5 and CF 200 mg/dt-5 were administered intravenously to 20 pre-operation patients. Samples were obtained during the operation. The changes of apoptotic cells and caspase-3 activity in large-intestinal carcinoma were evaluated with the optical microscopy and the colorimeteric assay respectively and were compared with non-chemotherapy group and normal intestinal tissue group.


RESULTS
1. The obvious cell apoptotic change could be observed under the optical microscopy in the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy group; 2. The level of caspase-3 activity was significantly higher in the neo-adjuvant chemotherapy group than in the non-chemotherapy and normal intestinal tissue group(P < 0.05); 3. The change of caspase-3 activity was closely correlated with the tumor differentiation and Dukes stage after the induction of pre-operative chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
HCPT combined with 5-Fu/CF may induce the apoptosis of large-intestinal carcinoma cells and caspase-3 takes part in the apoptotic process. The change of caspase-3 activity was closely correlated with the degree of the tumor differentiation and Dukes stage.
Chen
Zi-hua
ZH
Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Feng
Bin
B
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000601:surgery; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
C028098:10-hydroxycamptothecin; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil; D002166:Camptothecin