title: Effects of the administration of epidermal growth factor receptor specific inhibitor cetuximab, alone and in combination with cisplatin, on proliferation and apoptosis of Hep-2 laryngeal cancer cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression and prognostic value in head and neck squamous cell cancer is the basis for targeting by anti-EGFR antibodies, which increase the efficacy of radiotherapy. In order to evaluate the best therapeutic schedule, the effects of cetuximab (C225) on Hep-2 cell proliferation, alone and in combination with cisplatin, were studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hep-2 cells were treated with cetuximab alone or in combination with cisplatin. After determining cell viability with trypan blue, morphological features of apoptotic degeneration were analysed by fluorescence microscopy with Hoechst 33258 stain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cetuximab alone mildly inhibited Hep-2 proliferation and showed no pro-apoptotic effects. When administered concomitantly with cisplatin, cetuximab synergistically increased inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antiproliferative activity of cetuximab is consistent with its hypothesised role in inhibiting repopulation. However, the increase in the effects of pro-apoptotic agents induced by cetuximab may be even more relevant to its clinical effectiveness than the inhibition of repopulation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bussu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pozzoli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giglia
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Limongelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Corso
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graziani
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paludetti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navarra
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otorhinolaryngology,Catholic University School of Medicine,Rome,Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Almadori
mesh_terms: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab; D002945:Cisplatin