[Effect of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody on chemosensitivity of human colon cancer cells and the mechanism].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody on the chemosensitivity of human colon cancer cells and explore the possible molecular mechanism.


METHODS
The inhibitory effect of irinotecan (CPT-11), oxaliplatin (L-OHP) and fluorouracil (5-Fu), used alone or in combination with anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, on the proliferation of LoVo cells in vitro was assessed by MTT assay. The expressions of PI3K and Akt protein in the treated cells were examined by Western blotting, and their mRNA expressions were detected by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Both h-R3 and C-225 treatments significantly increased the chemosensitivity of LoVo cells to irinotecan and oxaliplatin. 5-Fu and h-R3 coadministered showed a synergistic effect on the cells, but 5-Fu and C-225 had an antagonistic action. Treatment with C-225 or h-R3 resulted in lowered expressions of PI3K and Akt in LoVo cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody can increase the chemosensitivity of human colon cancer cells to most chemotherapeutic drugs, and such effect might be attributed to the blocking of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by these antibodies.
Cao
Meng-ran
MR
Oncology Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. cmr205@163.com
Li
Xiao-yan
XY
Zheng
Da-yong
DY
Yang
Lin
L
Lv
Cheng-wei
CW
Luo
Rong-cheng
RC
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000068818:Cetuximab; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D000068818:Cetuximab