[Apoptosis of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 cells induced by gemcitabine and radiation].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the apoptosis of human breast cell line MCF-7 cells induced by gemcitabine and radiation.


METHODS
The MTT method was applied to study the growth inhibition of MCF-7 treated with gemcitabine, radiation, gemcitabine and radiation. The apoptosis index (AI) was analyzed by flow cytometry. The morphology of the MCF-7 cells apoptosis was observed by transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
When MCF-7 cells were treated with gemcitabine at different concentrations for 24 h, the cell growth inhibition rate was increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The apoptotic indexes (AI) of MCF-7 of four groups by flow cytometry revealed. The AI of (R+D) group was significantly different from those of the radiation group and the gemcitabine group (P<0.05). Condensed chromation, nuclear fragmentation and apoptotic body of MCF-7 cells were found by transmission electron microscope.


CONCLUSIONS
The apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 cells, could be induced by gemcitabine. Gemcitabine can significantly enhance the radiation-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells.
Li
Jian-huang
JH
Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
Luo
Xue-gang
XG
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D011827:Radiation; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000093542:Gemcitabine