title: Interferon-alpha promotes the anti-proliferative effect of Erlotinib (OSI-774) on human colon cancer cell lines.
abstract: Interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) treatment is associated with up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) expression and marked growth inhibition while maintaining the sensitivity of the target colon cancer cells to epidermal growth factor (Gut 2004;53:123). We aimed to determine the effect of combining IFNalpha and Erlotinib (an HER1/EGFR inhibitor) on colon cancer cell line growth. Crystal-violet staining and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation and expression of HER1/EGFR. IFNalpha pre-treatment followed by a combination of IFNalpha plus Erlotinib significantly enhanced the sensitivity of 7/9 of colon cancer cell lines by 7-43%. This approach may have clinical implications for improving treatment based on targeting of HER1/EGFR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology Research Group, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Barker Street, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Sydney, Australia. j.yang@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Jia-Lin
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xian-Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors