Relation between p53 expression of human colon cancer cell lines and induction of apoptosis by anticancer drugs

The relation between p53 expression of human colon cancer cell lines and induction of apoptosis by anticancer drugs was examined experimentally. HCT116 had wild-type p53 expression and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination with cisplatinum (CDDP) increased both Sub G1 DNA content and the proportion of apoptotic cells. However, solitary administration of these drugs altered neither. Alternatively, for SW480 with mutant-type p53 expression, both combined administration and solitary administration of anticancer drugs showed minimal effect on Sub G1 DNA content and proportion of apoptotic cells. These results indicate that the type of p53 expression might play an important role in the determination of response to low-dose CDDP + 5-FU therapy in colon cancer patients.