Synergism between a siRNA targeted to survivin and 5-FU in inhibiting MCF-7 cell proliferation in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted to survivin in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells.


METHODS
A siRNA targeted to survivin was synthesized and transfected into MCF-7 cells via lipofectin. Changes of the cell growth activity in response to combined treatment with survivin siRNA and 5-FU or 5-FU treatment alone was evaluated by MTT assay. The Q method of Jin Zhenjun was used to evaluated synergism between the synthesized siRNA and 5-FU.


RESULTS
Treatment with 5 nmol/L siRNA reduced the IC50 of 5-FU from 4.42 to 1.18 microg/ml, and the inhibitory effect of combined treatment on MCF-7 cells was higher than that of 5-FU alone (F=26.74, P<0.01). Synergism effect was observed between 5-FU at lower concentrations and survivin siRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
siRNA may enhance the effectiveness of 5-FU in inhibiting the proliferation of MCF-7 cells.
Department of Oncology, Second Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China. zhangshuqun1971@yahoo.com.cn
Shu-qun
SQ
Zhang
Shu-hui
SH
Zhang
Xin-huan
XH
Xue
Xi-jing
XJ
Wang
Jian-tao
JT
Jiang
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics*; D000077022:Survivin; D014162:Transfection
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D000077022:Survivin; D005472:Fluorouracil