Regulation of the resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis as a new strategy for pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-related, apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in a wide variety of tumor cells, but it does not cause toxicity in the majority of normal cells. Therefore, TRAIL could become a suitable agent for anticancer therapies. However, a number of tumor cell lines are known to be resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms of resistance to TRAIL in pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS: In human pancreatic cancer cell lines, the sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis was tested. The expression of TRAIL receptors (DR4, DR5, DcR1, and DcR2) and the expression of death signal-transducing proteins were investigated. In the TRAIL-resistant pancreatic cancer cells, effects of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, on death signal-transducing proteins were tested. Finally, the effects of the combined treatment with cycloheximide and TRAIL on the induction of apoptosis and on the expression of death signal-transducing proteins were examined. RESULTS: Pancreatic cancer cells responded to TRAIL in a different way. Resistant cell lines, AsPC-1, Suit-2, and CFPAC-1, expressed higher levels of FLIP-S protein, one of the splice variants of FLIP. Cycloheximide reduced the expression of FLIP in the resistant cells. Combined treatment with cycloheximide and TRAIL induced cleaved forms of caspases and simultaneously restored the sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the resistant cells. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via strong expression of the anti-apoptotic protein FLIP-S. Suppression of FLIP-S by cycloheximide restored sensitivity to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in resistant cancer cells. These findings may provide useful information for the development of TRAIL-based therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the functionality of apoptotic pathways in pancreatic cancer cells.     

Thapsigargin potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in giant cell tumor of bone

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is capable of causing apoptosis in tumor cells but not in normal cells; however, it has been shown that certain types of tumor cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In this study, we examined the potentiation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the stromal-like tumor cells of giant cell tumor of bone (GCT). We show that both mRNA and protein of TRAIL receptors—death receptors (DR4, DR5) and decoy receptors (DcR1, DcR2) are present in GCT stromal tumor cells. However, the expression profiles in all GCT clones tested do not readily correlate with their differential sensitivity to TRAIL. To this end, we selected thapsigargin (TG), an agent known to cause perturbations in intracellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis to enhance the apoptotic action of TRAIL. When added alone, neither TRAIL nor TG induces a therapeutically important magnitude of cell death in GCT tumor cells. Interdependently, scheduled treatment of the cultures with TG followed by subsequent addition of TRAIL resulted in a significant synergistic apoptotic activity, while in contrast, no obvious augmentation was seen when TRAIL was added before TG. This effect was in accord with our observation that TG predominantly up-regulated both mRNA and protein expression of DR5, as well as DR4 mRNA while down-regulating DcR1 protein in GCT stromal-like tumor cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that TG is able to sensitize tumor cells of GCT to TRAIL-induced cell death, perhaps in part through up-regulating the death receptor DR5 and down-regulating the decoy receptor DcR1. These findings provide an additional insight into the design of new treatment modalities for patients suffering from GCT.     

TRAIL联合顺铂诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡的研究

目的 探讨顺铂增加TRAIL诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡的分子机制，提供TRAIL应用肝癌临床治疗的一种新的用药模式。方法 以肝癌细胞HepG2为研究对象，应用流式细胞仪分析顺铂联合应用TRAIL对细胞周期的影响，Western blot检测顺铂作用前后HepG2细胞在TRAIL诱导凋亡过程中Caspase-8、Caspase-3、DR4、DR、DcR，c—FLIP及RIP的表达变化。结果 顺铂能够增强TRAIL诱导HepG2细胞凋亡的能力，两者联合应用具有明显的协同作用，顺铂预先处理能够下调c-FLIP及RIP的表达及增加DR的表达。结论 TRAIL联合顺铂可以诱导肝癌细胞HepG2凋亡，其机制是通过下调c-FLIP及RIP的表达，解除Caspase-8受抑，恢复凋亡信号的传导来实现的。死亡受体D＆的表达上调也可能参与了这一变化过程。     

Sensitivity of prostate cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis increases with tumor progression: DR5 and caspase 8 are key players

BACKGROUND: As advanced prostate cancers are resistant to currently available chemotherapies, we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and characterized the involvement of its five receptors DR4, DR5, DcR1, DcR2, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) and of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC)-forming proteins caspase 8 and c-FLIP in prostate cell lines. METHODS: We used six prostate cell lines, each corresponding to a particular stage in prostate tumorigenesis, and analyzed TRAIL sensitivity in relation to TRAIL receptors' expression. RESULTS: TRAIL sensitivity was correlated with tumor progression and DR5 expression levels and apoptosis was exclusively mediated by DR5. DcR2 was significantly more abundant in tumor cells than in non-neoplastic ones and may contribute to partial resistance to TRAIL in some prostate tumor cells. Conversely, non-tumoral cells secreted high levels of OPG, which can protect them from apoptosis. Finally, caspase 8 expression levels were as DR5 directly correlated to TRAIL sensitivity in prostate tumor cells. CONCLUSION: TRAIL-induced apoptosis is closely related to the balanced expression of its different receptors in prostate cancer cells and their modulation could be of potential clinical value for advanced tumor treatment.     

白细胞介素12通过抑制survivin表达加强肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体诱导的肝癌细胞凋亡

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)对肝细胞癌(HCC)的治疗作用,以及TRAIL耐药的可能机制和逆转耐药方案。方法 采用原位杂交方法观察HCC与正常肝组织中TRAIL的表达差异。采用不同浓度的sTRAIL(可溶性)处理HCC细胞株及真核表达质粒pIRES-EGFP-sTRAIL转染HCC细胞株,观察sTRAIL的抑癌疗效。建立裸鼠肝癌模型,观察sTRAIL的体内抑癌作用。进一步,检测HCC中survivin的表达并采用反义寡核苷酸封闭治疗。最后,观测sTRAIL和IL-12联合抗癌效果。结果 肝癌组织DR表达量显著强于正常肝组织DR表达量。60例肝癌组织中54例不表达诱捕受体DcRl,25例不表达DcR2,而20例正常肝组织均表达DcR。两种．HCC细胞株中DcR1表达缺失。经sTRAIL(100ng/ml)处理24h,HCC细胞凋亡发生率约10％,而Jurkat细胞凋亡率达70％以上。体外pIRES-EGFP-sTRAIL转染对肝癌细胞杀伤作用不敏感。体内直接瘤体注射pIRES-EGFP-sTRAIL可对裸鼠肝癌无明显抑制作用。HCC高表达survivin,反义寡核苷酸封闭可部分逆转TRAIL耐药。IL-12使survivin表达明显下调,显著加强TRAIL对HCC细胞的杀伤作用。结论 HCC对TRAIL诱导的凋亡有耐药现象。survivin参与HCC对TRAIL的耐药机制,反义寡核苷酸封闭可部分逆转TRAIL耐药。IL-12可通过抑制siurvivin表达增强TRAIL对HCC杀癌作用。联合基因治疗(如TRAIL和IL-12基因)可能成为一种有前途HCC治疗方案。     

Synergy is achieved by complementation with Apo2L/TRAIL and actinomycin D in Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis of prostate cancer cells: role of XIAP in resistance

BACKGROUND: Tumors have an inherent immunogenicity that can be exploited by immunotherapy. However, often tumors develop mechanisms that render them resistant to most immunologic cytotoxic effector mechanisms. This study examines the underlying mechanism of resistance to Apo2L/TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand)-mediated apoptosis. METHODS: We studied prostate tumor cell lines for their sensitivity to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in the presence and absence of the sensitizing agent actinomycin D (Act D). Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and signaling for apoptosis by Western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with subtoxic concentrations of Act D significantly sensitizes the tumor cells (CL-1, DU-145, and PC-3 prostate tumor cells) to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. The cytotoxicity of Act D-sensitized prostate tumor cells was a result of synergistic activation of caspases (caspase-3, -9, and -8), detectable after 6 hr of treatment. Treatment with Apo2L/TRAIL alone, although it was insufficient to induce apoptosis, resulted in the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm in the absence of significant caspases activation. These findings suggested that a major apoptosis resistance factor blocking the Apo2L/TRAIL apoptotic signaling events is present downstream of the mitochondrial activation. The expression of receptors and anti-apoptotic proteins were examined in Act D-sensitized CL-1 cells. The earliest and the most pronounced change induced by Act D was down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and up-regulation of Bcl-xL/-xS proteins. The role of XIAP in resistance was demonstrated by overexpression of Smac/DIABLO, which inhibited inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) and sensitized the cells to Apo2L/TRAIL. Apo2L/TRAIL receptors (DR4, DR5, DcR1, and DcR2), c-FLIP, Bcl-2, and other IAP members (c-IAP1 and c-IAP2) were marginally affected at later times in the cells sensitized by Act D. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the combination of Act D-induced down-regulation of XIAP (Signal I) and Apo2L/TRAIL-induced release of cytochrome c (Signal II) leads to the reversal of resistance to Apo2L/TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in the tumor cells. The sensitization of tumor cells to Apo2L/TRAIL by Act D is of potential clinical application in the immunotherapy of drug/Apo2L/TRAIL refractory tumors.     

Effects of sequential treatments with chemotherapeutic drugs followed by TRAIL on prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand/Apo2 ligand (TRAIL/Apo-2L) is a novel anticancer agent, capable of inducing apoptosis preferentially in tumor and transformed cells. TRAIL-R1/death receptor (DR)4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5 are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, and can be activated by the TRAIL. We examined the clinical potential of chemotherapeutic drugs and TRAIL for the treatment of prostate cancer. METHODS: Prostate and bladder cancer cells were exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs (paclitaxel, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, doxorubicin, and camptothecin) and TRAIL. Cell viability was measured by sodium 3'[1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis (4-methoxy-6-nitro) assay; expressions of death receptors and Bcl-2 family members were measured by Western blotting, ELISA and ribonuclease protection assay. PC-3 tumor cells xenografted athymic nude mice were exposed to chemotherapeutic drugs and TRAIL, either alone or in combination, to measure tumor growth and survival of mice. Apoptosis was measured by annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated nick end labeling assay. Caspase-3 activity was measured by the Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: TRAIL induced apoptosis with varying sensitivity. Chemotherapeutic drugs (paclitaxel, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, doxorubicin, and camptothecin) significantly augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis in cancer cells through up-regulation of DR4, DR5, Bax, and Bak, and induction of caspase activation. Mitochondrial pathway enhanced the synergistic interactions between drugs and TRAIL. The sequential treatment of mice with chemotherapeutic drugs followed by TRAIL induced caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis, inhibited angiogenesis, completely eradicated the established tumors, and enhanced survival of mice. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapeutic drugs can be used to enhance the therapeutic potential of TRAIL in prostate cancer.     

Ionizing radiation enhances the therapeutic potential of TRAIL in prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo: Intracellular mechanisms

BACKGROUND: We assessed the influence of sequential treatment of ionizing radiation followed by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on intracellular mechanisms of apoptosis of prostate tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Prostate normal and cancer cells were exposed to irradiation and TRAIL. Four- to 6-week-old athymic nude mice were injected s.c. with PC-3 tumor cells. Tumor bearing mice were exposed to irradiation and TRAIL, either alone or in combination (TRAIL after 24 hr of irradiation), and tumor growth, apoptosis, and survival of mice were examined. Expressions of death receptors, Bcl-2 family members, and caspase were measured by Western blotting, ELISA, and ribonuclease protection assay; tumor cellularity was assessed by H&E staining; inhibition of p53 was performed by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, and apoptosis was measured by annexin V/propidium iodide staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated nick end labeling assay. RESULTS: Irradiation significantly augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer cells through upregulation of DR5, Bax, and Bak, and induction of caspase activation. Dominant negative FADD and p53 siRNA inhibited the synergistic interaction between irradiation and TRAIL. The pretreatment of cells with irradiation followed by TRAIL significantly enhanced more apoptosis than single agent alone or concurrent treatment. Furthermore, irradiation sensitized TRAIL-resistant LNCaP cells to undergo apoptosis. The sequential treatment of xenografted mice with irradiation followed by TRAIL-induced apoptosis through activation of caspase-3, induction of Bax and Bak, and inhibition of Bcl-2, and completely eradicated the established tumors with enhanced survival of nude mice. CONCLUSION: The sequential treatment with irradiation followed by TRAIL can be used as a viable option to enhance the therapeutic potential of TRAIL in prostate cancer.     

TRAIL联合喜树碱体外诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的探讨喜树碱增加TRAIL诱导肝癌细胞HepG2和Hep3B凋亡能力的分子机制。方法应用流式细胞仪分析TRAIL单独或联合应用喜树碱对肝癌细胞系HepG2和Hep3B细胞凋亡的影响；Western blot检测HepG2和Hep3B细胞在处理前后凋亡信号传导蛋白caspase-8，caspase-3，caspase-9，DR4，DR5，DcRl，c—FLIP，RIP，cytc，Smac和Bid表达的变化。结果喜树碱能增强TRAIL诱导肝癌细胞凋亡的能力，两者联用具有明显的协同作用。喜树碱预先处理能下调c—FLIP及RIP的表达及增加cytc，Smac，Bid的表达，但对DR4，DR5，DcRl的表达无明显影响。结论TRAIL联合喜树碱可以诱导肝癌细胞凋亡；其机制是下调c—FLIP及RIP的表达，活化凋亡发生的死亡受体通路，上调Bid的表达激活线粒体通路。死亡受体的表达不参与这一变化过程。     

TRAIL受体在前列腺癌中的表达

目的　探讨肿瘤坏死因子相关诱导凋亡配体 (TRAIL)受体在前列腺癌组织中的表达及其与前列腺癌恶性度的关系。方法　采用免疫组织化学方法检测前列腺癌组织及良性前列腺增生组织中DR4、DR5及DcR1的表达。结果　前列腺癌组织DcR1表达水平显著低于良性前列腺增生组织 (P <0 .0 1) ,DR4、DR5的表达水平两者无显著性差异。前列腺癌组织中DR4、DR5及DcR1的表达程度与前列腺癌组织的病理分级和临床分期无关 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论　TRAIL基因受体DcR1在前列腺癌凋亡机制中可能发挥重要作用     

Subtoxic concentration of doxorubicin enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP

Most tumor cells are sensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis but sparing to normal cells, thus providing therapeutic potential for clinical use. Some tumor cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced cell death while the sensitivity could be recruited with the existence of some chemical agents. In this study, human prostatic cancer cell line LNCaP was found to be resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis while it could be restored to TRAIL sensitivity with combination treatment of low concentration of doxorubicin. TRAIL receptor-1 (DR4) and TRAIL receptor-2 (DR5) were upregulated under the treatment of doxorubicin and verified to be responsible for TRAIL-mediated signal transduction. Furthermore, caspase-8 and caspase-3 were activated and drove their autocleavage into programmed cell death. Interestingly, apoptosis-inhibitory protein c-FLIP, but not Bcl-2 and XIAP was downregulated after doxorubicin treatment. Taken together, these findings suggested that the pathway of cell apoptosis induced by TRAIL was intact but under negative control. Subtoxic concentration of doxorubicin effectively boosted TRAIL sensitivity via depletion of antiapoptotic protein. These findings support the new strategies for killing tumors with TRAIL and chemical agents.     

肿瘤坏死因子相关诱导凋亡配体受体mRNA在肝癌中的表达及其意义

目的 探讨肿瘤坏死因子相关诱导凋亡配体的4种受体DR4、DR5、DcR1、DcR2在肝细胞癌肝组织中的表达状况。方法 应用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法检测40例人肝细胞癌组织、相应癌旁肝组织、23例正常人肝组织中DR4、DR5、DcR1、DcR2的mRNA表达率及表达水平。结果 （1）40例肝癌组织、癌旁组织、23例正常肝组织DR4、DR5的mRNA的表达水平差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；（2）40例癌旁组织、23例正常肝组织DcR1、DcR2表达水平明显高于40例肝癌组织（P〈0．05）；（3）DR4和DR5mRNA在肝细胞癌组织中表达水平与患者的年龄，肿瘤大小，有无包膜，分级程度，AFP水平，HBsAg，有无肝硬化有关系。结论 肝癌组织中存在TRAIL受体的表达，与其在正常肝组织中的表达差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；DR4、DR5表达水平与肝癌的病理状况有关系。     

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体受体在肾癌中的分布及其意义

目的：研究肿瘤坏死因子相关诱导凋亡配体（TRAIL）受体在肾癌组织中的分布及其意义。方法：采用RT－PCR及NorthernBlot的方法检测TRAIL受体在肾癌组织及正常肾组织,肾癌细胞系GRC－I和正常肾小管细胞系HK－2中的表达。结果：死亡受体DR4、DT4在肾癌组织及正常肾组织、肾癌细胞系GRC－I和正常肾小管细胞系HK－2中强表达;假受体DcR-1在正常肾组织和正常肾小管细胞系HK－2中强表达;假受体DcR-2未见表达。结论TRAIL基因在肾癌肿瘤细胞的凋亡机制中可能发挥重要的作用。     

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体及其受体在烧伤大鼠胸腺组织中的表达

目的 了解肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）相关的凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）及其受体在严重烧伤大鼠胸腺组织细胞异常凋亡中的作用。方法 将50只Wistar大鼠随机分为假伤组（模拟烧伤）lO只和烧伤组40只（设伤后4、12、24、48h 4个时相点）。应用膜联蛋白A5-异硫氰酸荧光素／碘化丙啶双染法，观察大鼠胸腺组织中细胞凋亡的情况；反转录-聚合酶链反应和蛋白质印迹法检测TRAIL的死亡受体5（DR5）、DR4、诱骗受体1（DcR-1）、DcR2在大鼠胸腺组织中的表达。结果 与假伤组大鼠细胞凋亡率[（6．7±0．8）％]比较，烧伤组于伤后4h[（17．1±0．4）％]起增高，12h时[（25．2±1．1）％]达高峰，48h时仍明显高于假伤组（P〈0．05）。烧伤组大鼠胸腺组织中DR5的表达显著高于假伤组，DcR2的表达则显著低于假伤组；其余受体的表达组间相似。结论 严重烧伤后早期大鼠胸腺组织的细胞凋亡明显增加，且胸腺组织中DR5和DcR2的表达异常，提示TRAIL凋亡途径可能参与了病理性细胞凋亡过程。     

TRAIL受体在膀胱癌中的表达及意义

目的：了解肿瘤坏死因子相关诱导凋亡配体（TRAIL）受体在膀胱癌组织中的表达及意义。方法：采用RT－PCR及Northern blot方法检测TRAIL受体在膀胱癌组织及正常膀胱粘膜中的表达。结果：死亡受体DR4、DR5在膀胱癌组织及正常膀胱粘膜中呈强表达,候受体DcR-1在正常膀胱粘膜呈强表达,假受体DcR-2未见表达。结论：TRAIL基因在膀胱移行上皮细胞癌凋亡机制中可能发挥重要作用。     

Effect of the XIAP inhibitor Embelin on TRAIL-induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a potent inducer of apoptosis in a wide variety of tumor cells, while it has no toxicity for the majority of normal cells.Therefore, TRAIL may be a suitable agent for anticancer therapy. We previously reported that a number of pancreatic cancer cell lines show resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via overexpression of XIAP and FLIP. The present study was conducted to further examine TRAIL-based therapeutic strategies by aiming to restore functional apoptotic pathways in resistant pancreatic cancer cells. METHODS: In various pancreatic cancer cell lines, TRAIL-induced apoptosis was evaluated in the presence or absence of an XIAP-inhibitor (Smac peptide). Second, TRAIL-induced apoptosis was evaluated in TRAIL-resistant AsPC-1 cells with or without FLIP antisense. Third, the combined effect of Smac peptide and FLIP antisense was tested, and the activation of apoptosis-related caspases and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase was evaluated. Finally, TRAIL-induced apoptosis was evaluated in the presence or absence of FLIP antisense and an XIAP inhibitor (embelin). RESULTS: Smac peptide enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner for several pancreatic cancer cell lines, but showed no effect on TRAIL-resistant AsPC-1 cells. Smac peptide alone had no influence on cell viability. TRAIL-induced apoptosis was restored in TRAIL-resistant AsPC-1 cells by exposure to FLIP antisense, which suppressed the expression of FLIP. The effect of TRAIL was augmented by the combination of FLIP antisense and Smac peptide. Similarly, TRAIL-induced apoptosis was restored by the combination of FLIP antisense and embelin. Activation of apoptotic caspases and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase was observed after sensitization of TRAIL-resistant pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic cancer cells gain resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis via expression of the antiapoptotic proteins XIAP and FLIP. Smac peptide and FLIP antisense could restore the apoptotic effect of TRAIL. An XIAP inhibitor, embelin, enhanced the effect of TRAIL in the presence of FLIP antisense. These findings may provide useful information for the development of TRAIL-based therapeutic strategies by restoring functional apoptotic pathways in resistant pancreatic cancer cells. In addition, a low molecular weight XIAP inhibitor like embelin could be a lead compound for the development of effective XIAP inhibitors.     

Enhanced sensitivity of bladder cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand mediated apoptosis by cisplatin and carboplatin

PURPOSE: The development and acquisition of multiple drug resistance in cancer cells are a consequence of cancer chemotherapy and remain a major obstacle in treatment. Therefore, there is an obvious need for alternative approaches, such as immunotherapy and gene therapy. Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) is one of the tumor necrosis factor ligand families and it selectively induces apoptosis against cancer cells. Several cytotoxic anticancer drugs also mediate apoptosis and may share the common intracellular pathways leading to apoptosis. We reasoned that combination treatment of cancer cells with TRAIL and drugs may overcome this resistance. We evaluated whether bladder cancer cells are sensitive to TRAIL mediated cytotoxicity and whether TRAIL may synergize with anticancer agents in cytotoxicity and apoptosis against bladder cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity was determined by a 1-day microculture tetrazolium dye assay. Synergy was assessed by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Human T24 bladder cancer line was relatively resistant to TRAIL and TRAIL was not cytotoxic against normal bladder cells. Treatment of T24 cells with TRAIL in combination with 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin C did not overcome resistance to these agents. However, treatment of T24 cells with a combination of TRAIL and cisplatin resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect. Synergy was also achieved in the cisplatin resistant T24 line (T24/CDDP), 2 other bladder cancer lines and 3 freshly derived bladder cancer cells. The combination of TRAIL and carboplatin resulted in a synergistic cytotoxic effect on T24 cells. However, the combination of TRAIL and trans-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) resulted in an antagonistic cytotoxic effect. The synergy achieved in cytotoxicity with TRAIL and cisplatin was also achieved in apoptosis. Treating T24 cells with cisplatin enhanced the expression of bax but not bcl-2. Incubation of T24 cells with TRAIL increased the intracellular accumulation of cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that combination treatment of bladder cancer cells with TRAIL and cisplatin overcomes their resistance. The sensitization obtained with established cisplatin resistant and freshly isolated bladder cancer cells required low subtoxic concentrations of cisplatin, supporting the in vivo potential application of a combination of TRAIL and cisplatin for treating TRAIL resistant and cisplatin resistant bladder cancer.     

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体治疗肝细胞癌的研究

目的探讨肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)与其受体在肝细胞肝癌(hepatocellularcarcinoma,HCC)中的表达及意义,及利用TRAIL对HCC的治疗作用。方法采用免疫组化技术及原位杂交方法分别检测了100例肝癌组织,100例癌旁组织,40例正常肝组织中TRAIL及TRAILR的表达,并结合临床资料进行分析;采用不同浓度TRAIL处理肝癌细胞株HepG2、SMMC7721,观察经药物处理前后肿瘤细胞的凋亡发生率。结果TRAIL在正常肝组织中无表达,癌旁组织中的表达明显高于癌组织。86例肝癌组织不表达诱捕受体DcR1(86%),55例肝癌组织不表达诱捕受体DcR2(55%),40例正常肝组织两种诱捕受体均有表达。肝癌组织中死亡受体为高表达,诱捕受体为低表达,正常肝组织则相反,两者间有显著差异性(P<0.05)。肝癌组织中死亡受体的表达与肿瘤的分化呈正相关(P<0.01),与肿瘤分级呈负相关(P<0.05),与病人的性别、年龄、AFP水平、肿瘤的大小以及是否转移无关。经TRAIL(100ng/ml)处理24h,肝癌细胞凋亡发生率约10%,而Jurkat细胞凋亡率达70%以上,胆管癌细胞QBC939凋亡发生率约50%。结论HCC时,TRAILR普遍表达,但存在受体类型的表达差异,其中DcR1大多缺失,这为利用TRAIL治疗HCC提供了理论依据,然而,单一的TRAIL治疗只能有限的诱导肝癌细胞HepG2、SMMC7721发生凋亡,HCC对TRAIL诱导的凋亡存在耐药现象。