肝癌细胞受照后代生长特性及放射敏感性变化

探讨肝癌细胞照射后存活后代生长特性及放射敏感性的变化。方法　人肝癌细胞株HepG2和其照射后存活后代体外培养 ,测定其群体倍增时间、放射敏感性和 p5 3的表达水平。结果　HepG2的群体倍增时间为 (96 .0± 6 .8)h ,克隆形成率为 (13.0± 1.5 ) % ,SF2 为 0 .41± 0 .0 5。HepG2照射后存活后代群体倍增时间为 (12 4.8± 12 .2 )h(t =3.5 72 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ,克隆形成率为 (5 .0± 0 .6 ) % (t=8.5 37,P <0 .0 1) ,SF2 为 0 .6 5± 0 .0 8(t=3 .811,P <0 .0 5 ) ,p5 3表达水平无差别 (t =0 .778,P >0 .0 5 )。结论　肝癌细胞照射后存活后代生长延缓 ,放射敏感性降低 ,但与 p5 3的表达无关。     

人喉鳞癌细胞端粒长度与放射敏感性的关系探讨

 目的 探讨人喉鳞癌细胞端粒长度与放射敏感性的关系,以寻求能够预测肿瘤细胞内在放射敏感性的分子标志物. 方法 体外长期传代的人喉鳞癌细胞系Hep-2经0、2、4、8、12Gy剂量照射3次后的存活后代体外培养20代,以克隆形成实验测定其放射敏感性参数SF2,用Southern-blotting法测定其端粒长度(TRF). 结果 体外长期传代的Hep-2细胞系随着受照剂量的增加, 其放射存活后代的SF2逐渐升高(P<0.05),其TRF逐渐缩短(P<0.01);而且,SF2与TRF呈现明显的正相关关系(r=0.921, P<0.01). 结论 通过不同放射剂量处理体外长期传代的人喉鳞癌细胞系可获得不同放射敏感性的细胞存活后代,且放射存活后代的放射敏感性与其细胞端粒长度具有较好的负相关关系,提示端粒长度检测有望成为预测肿瘤细胞内在放射敏感性的分子标志物.     

宫颈癌细胞受照后代生长特性及放射敏感性变化

目的探讨宫颈癌细胞照射后存活后代生长特性及放射敏感性变化.方法小鼠宫颈癌U14和其照射后存活后代体外培养,测定其群体倍增时间、放射敏感性和p53的表达水平.结果U14群体倍增时间(92.0±4.8)h,克隆形成率为(36.0±0.8)%,SF2为0.45±0.06.U14照射后存活后代群体倍增时间为(126.4±8.6)h(t=4.763,P＜0.05),克隆形成率为(15.0±1.5)%(t=9.647,P＜0.01),SF2为 0.84±0.04(t=4.625,P＜0.05),p53表达水平无差别(t=0.846,P＞0.05).结论宫颈癌细胞照射后存活后代生长延缓,放射敏感性降低,但与p53的表达无关.     

人喉鳞癌细胞端粒长度、端粒酶活性与放射敏感性的关系

背景与目的:肿瘤细胞的端粒长度、端粒酶活性与其增殖能力和恶性程度关系密切,而且端粒和端粒酶还可能参与放射诱导的DNA损伤的修复;由此推测肿瘤细胞的端粒长度、端粒酶活性与放射敏感性之间可能存在联系。本研究旨在探讨人喉鳞癌细胞端粒长度、端粒酶活性与放射敏感性的关系。方法:体外长期传代的人喉鳞癌细胞系Hep鄄2经0、2、4、8、12Gy剂量照射3次后的存活后代体外培养20代,以克隆形成实验测定其放射敏感性参数SF2,Southernblot法测定其端粒长度(meanlengthoftelomererestrictionfragments,TRF),TRAP鄄ELISA法测定其端粒酶活性(telomeraseactivity,TA)。结果:人喉鳞癌细胞不同放射剂量存活后代的SF2:0.47～0.64,TRF:3.76～9.43kb,TA:2.606～1.761,且它们各自的SF2、TRF、TA存在差异(P均<0.05);而且,SF2与TRF呈现明显的正相关(r=0.921,P<0.01),SF2与TA呈现明显的负相关(r=-0.929,P<0.01),TRF与TA呈现明显的负相关(r=-0.944,P<0.01)。结论:人喉鳞癌细胞接受不同放射剂量存活后代的放射敏感性与其端粒长度和端粒酶活性具有一定的相关性,提示端粒长度与端粒酶活性检测对预测肿瘤细胞放射敏感性有一定意义。     

不同敏感性鼻咽癌细胞株中Ku蛋白表达情况比较

目的　比较作为DNA双链断裂修复蛋白DNA依赖性蛋白激酶 (DNA PK)的调节亚基70 Ku、80 Ku在不同放射敏感性鼻咽癌细胞株CNE1和CNE2中的表达情况。方法　成克隆实验测定鼻咽癌高分化鳞癌细胞CNE1和低分化鳞癌细胞CNE2不同剂量照射后的存活分数 ,用线性二次模型拟合剂量存活曲线并求出放射生物学参数α、β、SF2、MID以评价两株细胞的放射敏感性。Westernblot检测照射前和后不同时间及不同剂量CNE1、CNE2细胞中Ku的表达 ,检测蛋白条带的吸光度值做半定量分析。结果　CNE1在各个剂量点的存活分数均比CNE2高 ,MID也大于CNE2 (2 .35∶1.11) ,SF2也大于CNE1(0 .5 4∶0 .37)。Westernblot显示两株细胞中70 Ku、80 Ku均有表达 ,蛋白条带的吸光度值测定显示70 Ku在CNE1、CNE2细胞中分别为 2 0 .0 3± 7.5 6和 19.36± 6 .0 4 ,80 Ku分别为 2 5 .98± 12 .87和 2 3.74±9.2 4 (P值均 >0 .0 5 )。蛋白表达的定量和定性分析同样显示 4Gy照射后不同时间点及 0～ 16Gy照射后 12hKu的表达无统计学差异。结论　实验验证了CNE2比CNE1对放射更敏感 ;照射前后两个细胞均有70 Ku、80 Ku蛋白表达且无差异 ;CNE1、CNE2放射敏感性的差异与Ku蛋白表达量无明显关系。     

人肝癌细胞株HepG2和BEL-7402对放射敏感性的体外实验研究

目的　采用体外实验方法探讨人肝癌细胞株HepG 2和BEL -740 2对放射的敏感性。方法　对人肝癌细胞株HepG2和BEL -740 2进行体外培养 ,应用集落形成法和MTT法测定 6MVX线不同剂量照射后细胞的存活率 ,计算 2株细胞放射敏感性参数 (D0 )。结果　HepG 2的D0 值为 1.5 ,SF2 为 (0 .45± 0 .0 5 ) ;BEL -740 2的D0 值为 1.6,SF2 为 (0 .63± 0 .0 5 )。MTT法与集落形成法相关性较好 (γ =0 .946,P <0 .0 5 )。结论　HepG2具有较高的放射敏感性 ,BEL -740 2的放射敏感性较低 ;MTT法可替代集落形成法作细胞放射敏感性的快速测定。     

siRNA干扰EGFR表达对食管鳞癌和腺癌细胞放射敏感性影响

目的 探讨siRNA干扰EGFR表达对食管鳞癌和腺癌放射敏感性的影响。方法 以食管鳞癌、腺癌细胞系ECa-109、OE-19作为研究对象。脂质体转染化学合成的不同EGFR-siRNA和阴性-siRNA,通过RT-PCR及蛋白印迹法检测转染前后EGFR表达情况,CCK8法分析转染对细胞增殖活性影响。设ECa-109、OE-19细胞空白对照组(O1、O2组)、单纯照射组(R1、R2组)及EGFR-siRNA照射组(E-R1、E-R2组),单次照射0、2、4、6、8 Gy。克隆形成实验计算细胞存活分数及放射增敏比(SER_D0值比),流式细胞仪检测EGFR-siRNA联合放射对细胞周期分布和细胞凋亡率影响,单次照射6 Gy。结果 EGFR-siRNA可明显下调两种细胞EGFR表达,且转染对细胞增殖抑制率<5%(4.9%、4.5%)。克隆形成实验结果显示E-R1、E-R2组细胞SF值低于O1、O2组,SER_D0值比分别为1.40、1.01。流式细胞术结果显示E-R1组比E-R2组照后G₂+M期比例增加、S期比例下降(P=0.016、0.028),细胞凋亡率也增高(P=0.007)。结论 与食管腺癌细胞相比,干扰EGFR表达显著提高了食管鳞癌细胞的放射敏感性。     

人肝癌细胞放射敏感性体外研究

 目的　用体外实验方法探讨人肝细胞癌的放射敏感性。方法　三株人肝癌细胞HepG2、SMMC 74 0 2、SMMC 772 1体外培养 ,应用集落形成法和MTT法测定 6MVX线不同剂量照射后细胞的存活率 ,计算三株细胞放射敏感性参数。结果　HepG2的D0 为 1.5 ,SF2 为 0 .4 5 ;74 0 2的D0 为 1.6 ,SF2 为 0 .6 3;770 1的D0 为 1.8,SF2 为 0 .79。MTT法与集落形成法相关性较好 ,r =0 .95 8(P <0 .0 5 )。结论　HepG2具有较高的放射敏感性 ,74 0 2和 772 1的放射敏感性较低 ;MTT法可替代集落形成法作细胞放射敏感性的快速测定。     

中性彗星分析法检测肿瘤细胞的放射敏感性

[目的]研究中性彗星分析法检测肿瘤细胞内在放射敏感性的可靠性和影响因素.[方法]人鼻咽高分化鳞癌细胞株CNE-1和人纤维肉瘤细胞株HT1080细胞,用6MV X线以0、100、200、300、400、600、800、1000cGy等不同剂量点照射,克隆形成法制定存活曲线,比较其放射敏感性的差异.然后进行两种细胞于600cGy照射后1、2、4、8h的中性彗星分析,以尾力矩为指标,动态检测不同时间点残留的DNA双链断裂,并与克隆形成分析结果相比较.[结果]克隆形成分析法显示CNE-1细胞的放射敏感性低于HT1080细胞,其2Gy照射后存活分数(SF2)和平均致死剂量D0值分别为0.397、0.331和1.898、1.287.两种细胞在照射后1、2、4h的中性彗星尾力矩分别为0.148±0.106、0.100±0.083、0.058±0.043和0.297±0.179、0.157±0.092、0.092±0.060,各时间点之间有显著性差异(P＜0.05),但差别逐渐减小;照射后2h和4h的尾力矩比值分别为0.637和0.630,与SF2比值和D0比值的倒数(0.834和0.678)较接近;两种细胞照射后8h的尾力矩比较差异无显著性.[结论]中性彗星分析法与克隆形成分析法的检测结果有确切的相关性,照射后一定时间内的残留DNA双链断裂有可能成为检测肿瘤细胞放射敏感性的指标.     

两株人肝癌细胞QSG-7701和HepG2放射敏感性的体外研究

在研究肿瘤的辐射效应之初就有人发现 [1], 各种肿瘤细胞对辐射的敏感性有明显差异 , 因而在接受放射治疗时效果也不一样 . 体外培养细胞株的存活分数 (surviving fractionm,SF)在受到 2 Gy照射后 (简称 SF2)可以在 0.01～ 0.90之间变动 , 即使是同一肿瘤的不同细胞株 , SF2也可以相差数十倍 [1]. 放射诱发细胞凋亡现象是近年放射生物学研究的一个热点 . 有人在研究鼠的肿瘤时发现 [2], 细胞放射反应与照射后凋亡水平具有相关性 .     

Enhanced radiation sensitivity in prostate cancer by inhibition of the cell survival protein clusterin.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of the cell survival gene clusterin in radiation-induced cell death in human LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer models. Experimental Design: Radiation sensitivities were compared in parental and clusterin-overexpressing LNCaP cells and in PC-3 cells and tumors treated with antisense or mismatch clusterin oligonucleotides. RESULTS: Clusterin-overexpressing LNCaP cells were less sensitive to irradiation with significantly lower cell death rates (23% after 8 Gy) compared with parental LNCaP cells (50% after 8 Gy) 3 days after irradiation. Clusterin expression in PC-3 cells after radiation was found to be up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner in vitro by 70% up to 12 Gy and in vivo by 84% up to 30 Gy. Inhibition of clusterin expression in PC-3 cells using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) occurred in a sequence- and dose-dependent manner and significantly enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis and decreased PC-3 cell growth rate and plating efficiency. Compared with mismatch control oligonucleotide treatment, clusterin ASO treatment enhanced radiation therapy and significantly reduced PC-3 tumor volume in vivo by 50% at 9 weeks. In addition, TUNEL staining revealed increased number of apoptotic cells in clusterin ASO-treated and irradiated PC-3 tumors, compared with treatment with mismatch control oligonucleotides plus radiation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that clusterin acts as a cell survival protein that mediates radioresistance through the inhibition of apoptosis. In vivo results further suggest that inactivation of clusterin using ASO technology might offer a novel strategy to improve results of radiation therapy for prostate cancer patients.     

CXCL13激活Akt促进肺癌放疗抵抗CSCD

目的探讨CXCL13在肺癌放疗抵抗中的作用及分子机制。方法利用公共数据库分析了CXCL13和CXCR5在肺癌组织中的表达水平,及其表达水平与放疗患者预后的关系。Western blot检测不同浓度CXCL13和Akt抑制剂LY294002对人肺癌H1975细胞Akt表达活化的影响;CCK-8法、流式细胞术和克隆形成实验检测CXCL13和LY294002对辐射处理后H1975细胞增殖、凋亡、克隆形成能力的影响。结果肺癌组织中CXCL13和其受体CXCR5表达水平明显高于正常组(P<0.003),CXCL13高表达与患者不良进展后生存期(PPS)密切相关。100 ng∕ml CXCL13处理辐射后的H1975细胞,细胞增殖水平显著高于对照组(P=0.015),细胞凋亡水平显著低于对照组(P=0.001),细胞克隆形成能力显著高于对照组(P=0.014);100 ng∕ml CXCL13显著激活Akt;8 Gy辐射处理后,20μg/ml的LY294002联合CXCL13处理组的细胞增殖水平显著低于CLCX13单独处理组(P=0.019),细胞凋亡水平显著高于CLCX13单独处理组(P=0.003),20μg/ml的LY294002联合CXCL13处理组的细胞克隆形成能力显著低于CLCX13单独处理组(P=0.001)。结论CXCL13通过激活Akt介导肺癌放疗抵抗。     

EGFR blockade with ZD1839 ("Iressa") potentiates the antitumor effects of single and multiple fractions of ionizing radiation in human A431 squamous cell carcinoma. Epidermal growth factor receptor

PURPOSE: Signaling pathways initiated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) play important roles in the response to ionizing radiation. In this study the consequences of inhibiting the EGFR on the response of A431 cells (human vulvar squamous cell carcinoma cells that overexpress EGFR) to radiation, were investigated in vitro and in vivo, using the selective EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, ZD1839 ("Iressa"). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The effect of ZD1839 on proliferation, apoptosis, and clonogenic survival after radiation was determined in vitro. For in vivo studies, athymic nude mice with established subcutaneous A431 xenografts (approximately 100 mm(3)) were treated with either a single 10 Gy fraction or 4 daily 2.5 Gy fractions of radiation with or without ZD1839 (75 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 10 days) to determine effects on tumor growth delay. RESULTS: Treatment of A431 cells with ZD1839 in vitro reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and reduced clonogenic survival after radiation. Strikingly greater than additive effects of ZD1839 in combination with radiation on tumor growth delay were observed in vivo after either a single 10 Gy fraction (enhancement ratio: 1.5) or multiple 4 x 2.5 Gy fractions (enhancement ratio: 4). ZD1839 reduced tumor vascularity, as well as levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein and mRNA induced by stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF), suggesting a possible role of inhibition of angiogenesis in the effect. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting EGFR-mediated signal transduction cascades with ZD1839 potentiates the antitumor effect of single and multiple fractions of radiation. These data provide preclinical rationale for clinical trials of EGFR inhibitors including ZD1839 in combination with radiation.     

Antiangiogenic therapy with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor RAD001 (Everolimus) increases radiosensitivity in solid cancer.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy exerts direct antivascular effects in tumors and also induces a proangiogenic stress response in tumor cells via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Therefore, the combination of radiotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy with mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (Everolimus) might exert additive/synergistic effects on tumor growth. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Effects of radiation combined with mTOR inhibitor RAD001 were studied on proliferation of murine colon cancer CT-26, human pancreatic cancer L3.6pl, and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells in vitro. In vivo tumor growth of subcutaneous colon cancer CT 26 and orthotopic pancreatic cancer L3.6pl was assessed after fractionated radiotherapy (5 x 2 or 5 x 4 Gy) with or without the addition of the mTOR inhibitor RAD001. RAD001 (1.5 mg/kg/d) was administered until the end of experiments beginning before or after radiotherapy. RESULTS: A single dose of 2 Gy reduced in vitro proliferation of L3.6pl (-16%), CT-26 (-70%), and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC; -72%). The mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (10 ng/mL) suppressed proliferation of HUVEC (-83%), L3.6pl (-8%), and CT-26 (-82%). Combination of even low concentrations of 0.01 ng/mL RAD001 and 0.25 Gy radiation significantly reduced proliferation of HUVECs (-57%), whereas additive effects of RAD001 and radiation on tumor cells were seen only at the highest concentrations tested. In vivo, RAD001 introduced before radiotherapy (5 x 2 Gy) improved tumor growth control in mice (L3.6pl: 326 mm(3) versus 1144 mm(3); CT-26: 210 mm(3) versus 636 mm(3); P < 0.05 versus control). RAD001 turned out to possess a dose-modifying effect on radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Endothelial cells seem to be most sensitive to combination of mTOR inhibition and radiotherapy. Additive tumor growth delay using the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 and radiotherapy in vivo therefore might rely on combined antiangiogenic and antivascular effects.     

Enhancement of radiation effects by combined docetaxel and flavopiridol treatment in lung cancer cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential role and mechanism of docetaxel plus flavopiridol in modulating radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In vitro. H460 human lung carcinoma cells were treated with docetaxel (10 nM for 1 h, at t = 0 h) --> radiation (0-5 Gy, at t = 6 h) --> flavopiridol (120 nM for 24 h, at t = 8 h). Colony forming ability was measured to assess the modulation of sensitivity. Cell cycle redistribution was measured by flow cytometric analysis using propidium iodide. Percent apoptosis was also measured by flow cytometric analysis using 7-amino-actinomycin D staining. In vivo. H460 cell xenografts were used in nude mice. Tumors were grown subcutaneously on the flank, then treated with docetaxel (2.5 mg/kg, at t = 0 h) --> radiation (2 Gy, at t = 6 h) --> flavopiridol (1.25 mg/kg, at t = 8 h) for 5 consecutive days. Tumor growth delay was then measured and compared with the control group. RESULTS: Docetaxel plus flavopiridol enhanced the effect of radiation. The maximum radiopotentiation and apoptosis were observed when the cells were treated with the sequence of docetaxel-->radiation-->flavopiridol both in vitro and in vivo. Flavopiridol and docetaxel induced G1 and G2/M arrest, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that docetaxel plus flavopiridol enhances the effects of radiation in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that the mechanism of radiopotentiation by combining flavopiridol and docetaxel involves an enhancement of apoptosis and changes of cell cycle by docetaxel and flavopiridol.     

SU11248 (sunitinib) sensitizes pancreatic cancer to the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation

PURPOSE: SU11248 (sunitinib) is a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor which targets VEGFR and PDGFR isoforms. In the present study, the effects of SU11248 and ionizing radiation on pancreatic cancer were studied. METHODS AND MATERIALS: For in vitro studies human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells lines were treated with 1 microM SU11248 1 h before irradiation. Western blot analysis was used to determine the effect of SU11248 on radiation-induced signal transduction. To determine if SU11248 sensitized pancreatic cancer to the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation, a clonogenic survival assay was performed using 0-6 Gy. For in vivo assays, CAPAN-1 cells were injected into the hind limb of nude mice for tumor volume and proliferation studies. RESULTS: SU11248 attenuated radiation-induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK at 0, 5, 15, and 30 min. Furthermore, SU11248 significantly reduced clonogenic survival after treatment with radiation (p < 0.05). In vivo studies revealed that SU11248 and radiation delayed tumor growth by 6 and 10 days, respectively, whereas combined treatment delayed tumor growth by 30 days. Combined treatment with SU11248 and radiation further attenuated Brdu incorporation by 75% (p = 0.001) compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: SU11248 (sunitinib) sensitized pancreatic cancer to the cytotoxic effects of radiation. This compound is promising for future clinical trials with chemoradiation in pancreatic cancer.     

ZDHHC8 knockdown enhances radiosensitivity and suppresses tumor growth in a mesothelioma mouse model

Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor caused by asbestos exposure, the incidence of which is predicted to increase globally. The prognosis of patients with mesothelioma undergoing conventional therapy is poor. Radiation therapy for mesothelioma is of limited use because of the intrinsic radioresistance of tumor cells compared with surrounding normal tissue. Thus, a novel molecular-targeted radiosensitizing agent that enhances the radiosensitivity of mesothelioma cells is required to improve the therapeutic efficacy of radiation therapy. ZDHHC8 knockdown reduces cell survival and induces an impaired G(2) /M checkpoint after X-irradiation in HEK293 cells. In the present study, we further analyzed the effect of the combination of ZDHHC8 knockdown and X-irradiation and assessed its therapeutic efficacy in mesothelioma models. SiRNA-induced ZDHHC8 knockdown in 211H and H2052 mesothelioma cells significantly reduced cell survival after X-irradiation. In 211H cells treated with ZDHHC8 siRNA and X-irradiation, the G(2) /M checkpoint was impaired and there was an increase in the number of cells with micronuclei, as well as apoptotic cells, in vitro. In 211H tumor-bearing mice, ZDHHC8 siRNA and X-irradiation significantly suppressed tumor growth, whereas ZDHHC8 siRNA alone did not. Immunohistochemical analysis showed decreased cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in tumors treated with ZDHHC8 siRNA and X-irradiation, but not with ZDHHC8 siRNA alone. These results suggest that ZDHHC8 knockdown with X-irradiation induces chromosomal instability and apoptosis through the impaired G(2) /M checkpoint. In conclusion, the combination of ZDHHC8 siRNA and X-irradiation has the potential to improve the therapeutic efficacy of radiation therapy for malignant mesothelioma.     

Inhibition of the EGFR with nanoparticles encapsulating antisense oligonucleotides of the EGFR enhances radiosensitivity in SCCVII cells

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of antisense epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) nanoparticles on cell survival and radiosensitivity in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line SCCVII. Experiments were performed using the murine head-and-neck tumor cell line, SCCVII. Nanoparticle encapsulated antisense EGFR oligonucleotides were combined with radiotherapy and the relative radiosensitivity of the cells was assessed in vitro by MTT and standard colony formation. The proportion of apoptotic cells and cell cycle stages were analyzed by flow cytometry. C3H/He mice with SCCVII tumor heterografts were treated with antisense-EGFR-nanoparticles or RT alone, or with combinations of concomitant and sequential therapy. The relative radiosensitivity of the tumors was assessed in vivo by growth delay assays. The SCCVII cells were resistant to anti-EGFR nanoparticles or radiation therapy alone, but a synergic inhibition effect was observed when the therapies were combined. When the SCCVII cells were pre-treated with 2 μg of antisense-EGFR nanoparticles for 24 h and X-irradiated (4 Gy), flow cytometry analysis revealed cell cycle arrest in G₁ phase and an increased proportion of apoptotic cells. Our results show that antisense EGFR nanoparticles enhance radiosensitivity by inhibition of EGFR-mediated mechanisms of radioresistance. Collectively, these findings may have therapeutic implications because EGFR inhibition may improve the therapeutic efficacy of radiation even in the tumor cells that are resistant to anti-EGFR therapy.     

Preclinical evaluation of the orally active camptothecin analog, RFS-2000 (9-nitro-20(S)-camptothecin) as a radiation enhancer

PURPOSE: To test for enhancement of radiation effects in vitro and in vivo by the orally administered camptothecin derivative, 9-nitrocamptothecin (RFS-2000); to study whether the mechanism of this enhancement involves inhibition of sublethal damage recovery. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In vitro: H460 human lung carcinoma cells were incubated with RFS-2000 for various times at 37 degrees C, irradiated, immediately rinsed, and assessed for colony-forming ability. Sublethal damage recovery (SLDR) was also assessed using two split doses of radiation. In vivo: H460 cell xenografts were used in nude mice. Tumors were grown subcutaneously on the flank, then treated with RFS-2000 (1 mg/kg) and/or radiation (2 Gy) for 5 consecutive days. Tumor growth delay was then measured for each treatment group. RESULTS: Radiation enhancement was observed in vitro for incubation times between 4 and 24 hr with 10 nM RFS-2000. Using a 24-hr treatment, the radiation dose enhancement ratio values (DER) for 5, 10, and 15 nM were 1.22, 1.54, and 2.0, respectively. Incubation with 10 nM RFS-2000 inhibited SLDR by a factor of 2. The results of three independent in vivo experiments showed that RFS-2000 can enhance the effects of fractionated radiotherapy, with an enhancement factor (EF) of 1.64. CONCLUSION: Our results show that RFS-2000 can enhance the effects of radiation in human lung cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and that the mechanism of this effect may involve the inhibition of SLDR.     

Response of human tumor cell lines in vitro to fractionated irradiation

The surviving fraction of human tumor cell lines after 2 Gy (SF2) varies between 0.1 and 0.8. It has been postulated that differences in inherent radiosensitivity of tumor cells are a major determinant of radiation response in vivo. Assays of inherent radiosensitivity based on acute survival are being developed as predictors of tumor response which often assume that the same inherent radiosensitivity persists throughout a fractionated treatment. We have investigated the response of 2 human tumor cell lines (A549 and MCF7) with different inherent radiosensitivities to in vitro fractionated irradiation. A549 cells had an SF2 of 0.62 and a mean inactivation dose (D) of 3.07 Gy whereas MCF7 cells had an SF2 of 0.30 and a D of 1.52 Gy. Split dose repair capacity (at equal survival levels) was less for A549 than for MCF7 cells and recovery kinetics for both cell lines were substantially longer than those of rodent cell lines. Survival after 5 fractions of 2 Gy given 12 hr apart at 37 degrees C was near to that predicted from the acute survival curve, assuming complete repair and no proliferation. Acute survival of A549 cells which survived 5 fractions of 2 Gy given 12 hr apart was similar to the acute survival of unirradiated cells. When A549 cells were incubated at 22 degrees C between 5 fractions of 2 Gy given 12 hr apart, proliferation and split dose repair were substantially inhibited. These studies support the proposals to use in vitro inherent radiosensitivity assays for the prediction of in vivo response of tumors to fractionated treatment.