Telomerase activity is not a key determinant of sensitivity to standard cytotoxic drugs in human esophageal carcinoma cell lines.
The aim of the present study was to investigate if basal telomerase activity levels may predict sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs in a panel of human esophageal carcinoma cell lines. The TRAPeze telomerase detection assay was used to investigate telomerase activity in the cell lines. Cytotoxic drug sensitivity for 20 standard cytotoxic agents was assessed using the fluorometric microculture cytotoxicity assay (FMCA). Telomerase activity was detected in all cell lines with a broad range of activity levels. Drug sensitivity also varied considerably between the cell lines. Except for a P value towards a correlation between mitoxantrone and telomerase activity (P=0.054), no statistically significant correlation was found between telomerase activity levels and sensitivity to investigated drugs, including key drugs such as cisplatin (P=0.9), 5-fluorouracil (P=0.8) and doxorubicin (P=0.54). We therefore conclude that basal telomerase activity level is not a key determinant of sensitivity to standard cytotoxic drugs in esophageal carcinoma cell lines.
Dreilich
Martin
M
Department of Oncology, Radiology and Clinical Immunology, Section of Oncology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Lindkvist
Anna
A
Dhar
Sumeer
S
Paulsson-Karlsson
Ylva
Y
Brattström
Daniel
D
Nygren
Peter
P
Rickardson
Linda
L
Wagenius
Gunnar
G
Bergqvist
Michael
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003603:Cytotoxins; D019098:Telomerase