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Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology

Published in:

01-11-2009 | Original Paper

Impact of erythropoietin on the effects of irradiation under hypoxia

Authors: Cristiana Lo Nigro, Monica Maffi, Jean Louis Fischel, Martino Monteverde, Paolo Catarsi, Federica Tonissi, Laura Lattanzio, Michela Riba, Marie-Christine Etienne-Grimaldi, Patricia Formento, Gerard Milano, Marco Merlano

Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 11/2009

Abstract

Purpose

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents an ideal model for assessing the impact of anemia and tumor hypoxia on the response to radiotherapy (RT). Various treatment strategies aimed at increasing tumor oxygenation in HNSCC patients have been studied and these studies have been fueled by evidence that hypoxia and, unexpectedly, erythropoietin (EPO), adversely affect the radiosensitivity of cells. The purpose of the present study was to experimentally examine the relationship between hypoxia, EPO, its receptor EPOR, EGFR and their effects on the survival and radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells underwent hypoxia.

Methods

We used Cal-166 head and neck cell line to investigate different cellular responses after RT given in oxic and hypoxic conditions, focusing on the role of EPO administration in cell proliferation and in regulating response to RT.

Results

Our results show that EPO do not evoke a physiologic response on EPOR-bearing tumor cells as assessed by cellular growth and proliferation. In addition, we present some indications that EPO could activate opposite signals related to proliferation, DNA repair and apoptosis. Among them, EGFR and AKT phosphorylation may play a role in radioresistance.

Conclusions

We concluded that the expression of the EPOR in Cal-166 cells does not seem essential for their growth and that administration of EPO does not affect RT efficacy.

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Title: Impact of erythropoietin on the effects of irradiation under hypoxia
Authors: Cristiana Lo Nigro
Monica Maffi
Jean Louis Fischel
Martino Monteverde
Paolo Catarsi
Federica Tonissi
Laura Lattanzio
Michela Riba
Marie-Christine Etienne-Grimaldi
Patricia Formento
Gerard Milano
Marco Merlano
Publication date: 01-11-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology / Issue 11/2009
Print ISSN: 0171-5216
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1335
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-009-0609-1

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Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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