Combination Effect of Nimotuzumab with Radiation in Colorectal Cancer Cells |
Hye Kyung Shin, Mi Sook Kim, Jae Hoon Jeong |
1Division of Radiation Cancer Research, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea. jeongj@kirams.re.kr 2Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea. mskim@kcch.re.kr |
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ABSTRACT |
PURPOSE: To investigate the radiosensitizing effect of the selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor nimotuzumab in human colorectal cancer cell lines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four human colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT-8, LoVo, WiDr, and HCT-116 were treated with nimotuzumab and/or radiation. The effects on cell proliferation, viability, and cell cycle progression were measured by MTT, clonogenic survival assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot.
RESULTS: An immunoblot analysis revealed that EGFR phosphorylation was inhibited by nimotuzumab in colorectal cancer cell lines. Under these experimental conditions, pre-treatment with nimotuzumab increased radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines, except for cell line HCT-116.
However, cell proliferation or cell cycle progression was not affected by the addition of nimotuzumab, irrespective of irradiation.
CONCLUSION: Nimotuzumab enhanced the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells in vitro by inhibiting EGFR-mediated cell survival signaling. This study provided a rationale for the clinical application of the selective EGFR inhibitor, nimotuzumab in combination with radiation in colorectal cancer cells. |
Key Words:
Colorectal cancer, EGFR, Nimotuzumab, Radiation, Combined therapy |
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