The study on the biological effects of interferon-α combined with gefitinib on colon cancer cell lines

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of interferon-α (IFN-α) and gefitinib on the proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer cell line HCT116. Methods Colon cancer cell line HCT116 was selected as research objective. The biological effects of IFN-α and gefitinib alone or combined on the cells were observed at different time point (after worked for 24, 48 and 72 hours). The proliferation inhibition of the medicine on the HCT116 cells was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Morphologic changes were observed under optical microscope. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry (FCM). The results were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software, two groups compare was tested by t test, and single factor variance analysis was for multiple group data compare. Results IFN-α and gefitinib alone or combined could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HCT116 cells (P<0.05), and there was a time and dose-dependent manner between the degree of inhibition and the working time and concentration of the medicine. With the work of the medicine, apoptosis morphologic changes were observed in the cells. And FCM result indicated that the apoptosis rate significantly increased. After treated with IFN-α and gefitinib alone or combined for 72h, the cell apoptosis rate were 15.6%±0.6%, 13.6%±0.4% and 31.2%±0.3% respectively, which was obviously higher than control group (6.8%±0.3%, P<0.05). Conclusion Both IFN-α and gefitinib were able to inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of HCT116 cells moreover, and a synergistic effect was observed while combine used there two medicines. Key words: Interferon-alpha; Antineoplastic agents; Guinazolines; Colonic neoplasus; Apoptosis; HCT 116 cells; Cell proliferation