[Synergistic use of epidermal growth factor and 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of human colorectal cancer in BALB/C nude mice subcutaneous xenograft model].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the synergistic effect of epidermal growth factor(EGF) and 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of human colorectal cancer in BALB/C nude mice subcutaneous xenografts model.


METHODS
Human colorectal cancer Caco-2 cells were transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue of nude mice. The tumor growth was followed up every 4 days after treatment, and estimated tumor weight, tumor growth curve, and results from histologic examination were used to evaluate the effects of EGF on the growth of tumors. Proliferation of the tumor cells was estimated by PCNA labeling index.


RESULTS
The combined use of EGF and 5-fluorouracil significantly inhibited the growth of colorectal cancer xenografts in nude mice with the inhibitory rate of 57.05% which was higher than 5-fluorouracil did (40.97%)(P<0.05). No pathologic changes were observed in organs. PCNA labeling index was elevated in combined group which implied more tumor cells reentry cell cycle.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidermal growth factor, which may recruit colorectal cancer cells into activated phases of the cell cycle, can enhance the sensitivity of colorectal cancer cell Caco-2 to 5-fluorouracil.
Ye
Lin
L
Department of Laproscope Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Wang
Guo-Bin
GB
Tao
Kai-Xiong
KX
D000818:Animals; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D005472:Fluorouracil