title: [Effects of cetuximab combined with celecoxib on apoptosis and KDR and AQP1 expression in lung cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a new development in the treatment of lung cancer. In recent years, cetuximab and celecoxib have been commonly used in this procedure. This study aims to explore the effect of cetuximab combined with celecoxib on apoptosis and KDR and AQP1 expression in lung cancer A549 cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 and then divided into four groups: control group, 1 nmol/L cetuximab group, 25 µmol/L celecoxib group, and 1 nmol/L cetuximab+25 µmol/L celecoxib group. The treatment time was 48 h. The mRNA and protein expression levels of KDR and AQP1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The apoptosis, proliferation, and invasive ability of A549 cells before and after transfection were examined using flow cytometry, MTT, and transwell methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cetuximab and celecoxib inhibited the growth of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Their combination produced a greater growth inhibition than when either was used alone (P<0.01). Cetuximab and celecoxib both induced the apoptosis of A549 cells, and their combination produced a higher apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Cetuximab in combination with celecoxib also induced G1 phase arrest and downregulated the expression of KDR and AQP1 in A549 cells (P<0.05). As a result, the invasion ability of the A549 cells was significantly decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cetuximab in combination with celecoxib can synergistically inhibit the growth of A549 cells and downregulate the expression of KDR and AQP1 in A549 cells. The combination of cetuximab and celecoxib is a potential strategy for lung cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China;Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tianjin Dagang Oil Field General Hospital, Tianjin 300280, China.
authors.forename: Honggang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Jianfei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Hongyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Changli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051398:Aquaporin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068579:Celecoxib; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011720:Pyrazoles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013449:Sulfonamides; D051398:Aquaporin 1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D000068579:Celecoxib; D000068818:Cetuximab