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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

In vitro effects of imatinib mesylate on radiosensitivity and chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells

Authors: Marion T Weigel, Linda Dahmke, Christian Schem, Dirk O Bauerschlag, Katrin Weber, Peter Niehoff, Maret Bauer, Alexander Strauss, Walter Jonat, Nicolai Maass, Christoph Mundhenke

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Breast cancer treatment is based on a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy effecting intracellular signal transduction. With the tyrosine kinase inhibitors new targeted drugs are available. Imatinib mesylate is a selective inhibitor of bcr-abl, PRGFR alpha, beta and c-kit. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Imatinib has an influence on the effectiveness of radiotherapy in breast cancer cell lines and if a combination of imatinib with standard chemotherapy could lead to increased cytoreduction.

Methods

Colony-forming tests of MCF 7 and MDA MB 231 were used to study differences in cell proliferation under incubation with imatinib and radiation. Changes in expression and phosphorylation of target receptors were detected using western blot. Cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis assays were performed combining imatinib with doxorubicin.

Results

The combination of imatinib and radiotherapy showed a significantly stronger inhibition of cell proliferation compared to single radiotherapy. Differences in PDGFR expression could not be detected, but receptor phosphorylation was significantly inhibited when treated with imatinib. Combination of imatinib with standard chemotherapy lead to an additive effect on cell growth inhibition compared to single treatment.

Conclusions

Imatinib treatment combined with radiotherapy leads in breast cancer cell lines to a significant benefit which might be influenced through inhibition of PDGFR phosphorylation. Combining imatinib with chemotherapy enhances cytoreductive effects. Further in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of Imatinib in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy on the treatment of breast cancer.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
In vitro effects of imatinib mesylate on radiosensitivity and chemosensitivity of breast cancer cells
Authors
Marion T Weigel
Linda Dahmke
Christian Schem
Dirk O Bauerschlag
Katrin Weber
Peter Niehoff
Maret Bauer
Alexander Strauss
Walter Jonat
Nicolai Maass
Christoph Mundhenke
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-10-412

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