Arsenic trioxide (As (2) O (3) ) induced apoptosis and its mechanisms in a human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line
Xie, D.; Yin, S.; Ou, Y.; Bai, H.; Ding, F.; Wang, X.; Liu, Z.; Zhou, C.; Wu, M.
Chinese Medical Journal 115(2): 280-285
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0366-6999 PMID: 11940349 Document Number: 543943
Objective: To study whether As2O3 has an apoptotic effect on human solid tumor cells, and the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of this treatment using human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (EC8712) as a model. Methods: DNA microarray, biochemical and cytological analyses were used. Results: The growth and survival of EC8712 cells were markedly inhibited by As2O3 treatment at a concentration of 1, 2 and 4 mumol/L. EC8712 cells were obviously arrested at G2/M phase with As2O3 treatment and apoptosis induced at micromolar As2O3 concentrations, as shown by morphology, histogram related nuclear DNA contents, and DNA gel electrophoresis. As2O3 activated caspase-3, which might be involved in the process of As2O3, induced apoptosis in EC8712 cells. Conclusions: As2O3 changes the expression of many genes at transcription level. The regulation of expression of many genes might be involved in the process of As2O3 inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that As2O3 can be clinically useful for solid tumor treatment.