[The effect of simultaneously blocking target epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase and cyclooxygenase-2 on the growth of NPC cell].
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to prove simultaneously blocking both EGFR and COX-2-mediated pathways may be an efficient means of inhibiting cancer cell growth in NPC.


METHODS
A combination of tarceva (EGFR-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors) with celecoxib (Cox-2 inhibitor) was studied on its effects on cell growth, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and protein expression in CNE-2 cell lines by cell growth assay, flow cytometric analysis assay and Western blotting.


RESULTS
(1) The inhibition rate of cell growth was higher in the group treated with a combination of two agents than that the sum of rates of the two groups treated with only one agent (P < 0.05). (2) The combination of tarceva with celecoxib significantly induced G1 arrest (P < 0.05), but did not increase apoptosis rate (P > 0.05). (3) The group of combination showed less expressions of p-EGFR and COX-2 than any other group.


CONCLUSIONS
Simultaneously blocking EGFR and COX-2 mediated pathways would significantly inhibit the growth of CNE-2 cell line, increase G1 arrest and reduce the expression levels of p-EGFR and COX-2.
Li
Shi-sheng
SS
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.
Zhang
Xin
X
Xu
Jing
J
Xie
Li
L
Qiu
Yuanzheng
Y
Shu
Xin
X
Tian
Yongquan
Y
D017209:Apoptosis; D000068579:Celecoxib; D002455:Cell Division; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D011720:Pyrazoles; D011799:Quinazolines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068579:Celecoxib