Blockade of sonic hedgehog signal pathway enhances antiproliferative effect of EGFR inhibitor in pancreatic cancer cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signal molecules in pancreatic cancer cells, and to assess the inhibitory effects through the blockade of the SHH and EGFR signaling pathways by cyclopamine and Iressa, respectively.


METHODS
The expression of SHH and EGFR in pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1, SUIT-2, and ASPC-1) was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. After treatment with different concentrations of cyclopamine, alone or in combination with Iressa, the antiproliferative effect on pancreatic cancer cells was analyzed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assays. A flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the cellular cycle distribution and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.


RESULTS
All of the 3 pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed SHH, Smoothened (SMO), and EGFR. Cyclopamine could downregulate the expression of EGFR in all cell lines. Cyclopamine or Iressa could induce a growth inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the combined use of 2.5 micromol/L cyclopamine and 1 micromol/L Iressa induced an enhanced inhibitory effect and a greater apoptosis rate than any agent alone. The percentage of the cell population of the G0/G1 and sub-G1 phases was significantly increased along with the increasing dose of cyclopamine and/or Iressa.


CONCLUSIONS
The blockade of the sonic hedgehog signal pathway enhances the antiproliferative effect of the EGFR inhibitor through the downregulation of its expression in pancreatic cancer cells. The simultaneous blockade of SHH and EGFR signaling represents possible targets of new treatment strategies for pancreatic carcinoma.
Hu
Wei-guo
WG
Pancreatic Surgery Center, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Liu
Tao
T
Xiong
Jiong-xin
JX
Wang
Chun-you
CY
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D000077156:Gefitinib; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology
D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D011799:Quinazolines; C509239:SHH protein, human; D014704:Veratrum Alkaloids; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib; C000541:cyclopamine