[Combination of cytosine arabinoside and cisplatin enhances inhibition of cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the synergistic cytotoxicity of cisplatin and cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines TW03 and cisplatin-resistant TW03/DDP which is cisplatin-induced drug-resistant cell line.


METHODS
The TW03/DDP cells was established by gradually increasing the dose of cisplatin, and then examined by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and semi-quantitative Western blotting for the expression level of lung resistance-related protein (LRP). Effects of DDP and Ara-C combined treatment or alone on proliferation and apoptosis of TW03/DDP cells and TW03 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively.


RESULTS
Compared with TW03 cells, TW03/DDP cells expressed higher level of LRP. After treatments for 24 hours, both cisplatin and Ara-C inhibited proliferation and caused apoptosis of TW03/DDP and TW03 cells, and DDP showed minor effect on the proliferation of TW03/DDP cells. Compared with Ara-C or DDP treatment alone, combination of Ara-C and DDP showed a more remarkable inhibition of proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in both TW03 and TW03/DDP cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Ara-C and DDP have a synergistic killing effect on NPC cell lines with and without DDP-caused drug resistance, and show better effects on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis promotion than Ara-C or DDP treatment alone, which provides a novel and prospective strategy for NPC chemotherapy.
Neijiang First People's Hospital, Medical Department, Neijiang 641000, China.
Jianjun
J
Chen
ENT Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
Shixi
S
Liu
Neijiang First People's Hospital, Medical Department, Neijiang 641000, China.
Qijun
Q
Li
Neijiang First People's Hospital, Medical Department, Neijiang 641000, China.
Jie
J
Peng
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002277:Carcinoma; D002453:Cell Cycle; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020394:Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000099187:Major Vault Protein
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin; D003561:Cytarabine; D020394:Vault Ribonucleoprotein Particles; D000099187:Major Vault Protein