In vitro study of COX-2 inhibitor, etoricoxibe, for leukemia

Abstract

Objective To study the effects of COX-2 inhibitor and chemotherapeutic drugs on leukemia cells. Methods MTT assay was used to determine the IC50 of cell lines induced by chemotherapeutic drugs, such as doxorubicin, daunorubicin, vincristine, cytarabine, asparaginase, dexamethasone, and etoricoxib. Results Jurkat, K562, and K562/AO2 leukemia cell lines added etoricoxib and none got growth inhibition. But etoricoxib combined with various concentrations of Doxorubicin(DOX), daunorubicin(DNR), vincristine, and asparaginase, the inhibitory rate of them was higher than that of chemotherapy drugs alone (Q≥1.15) . When etoricoxib added to various concentrations of dexamethasone, the suppression rate decreased, showed antagonism (Q<0.85) . K562 cell line associated with multiple concentrations of cytarabine (Ara-c), DOX, or DNR, showing a synergistic effect (Q≥1.15) . K562/AO2 cell lines treated with etoricoxib and DOX, showing a synergistic effect (Q≥1.15) . Conclusion COX-2 inhibitors may increase the sensitivity of leukemia cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Key words: Leukemia; Cycloxygenase-2 inhibitor; Chemotherapy; MTT; Drug sensitivity