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Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research
Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

Rapamycin potentiates cytotoxicity by docetaxel possibly through downregulation of Survivin in lung cancer cells

Authors: Huiyan Niu, Jiahe Wang, Hui Li, Ping He

Published in: Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

To elucidate whether rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), can potentiate the cytotoxic effect of docetaxel in lung cancer cells and to probe the mechanism underlying such enhancement.

Methods

Lung cancer cells were treated with docetaxel and rapamycin. The effect on the proliferation of lung cancer cells was evaluated using the MTT method, and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Protein expression and level of phosphorylation were assayed using Western Blot method.

Results

Co-treatment of rapamycin and docetaxel was found to favorably enhance the cytotoxic effect of docetaxel in four lung cancer cell lines. This tumoricidal boost is associated with a reduction in the expression and phosphorylation levels of Survivin and ERK1/2, respectively.

Conclusion

The combined application of mTOR inhibitor and docetaxel led to a greater degree of cancer cell killing than that by either compound used alone. Therefore, this combination warrants further investigation in its suitability of serving as a novel therapeutic scheme for treating advanced and recurrent lung cancer patients.
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Metadata
Title
Rapamycin potentiates cytotoxicity by docetaxel possibly through downregulation of Survivin in lung cancer cells
Authors
Huiyan Niu
Jiahe Wang
Hui Li
Ping He
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1756-9966
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-9966-30-28

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