Interferon-alpha promotes the anti-proliferative effect of gefitinib (ZD 1839) on human colon cancer cell lines

Objective: Interferon-α (IFNα) treatment is associated with up-regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) expression and marked growth inhibition of colon cancer cell lines in vitro. We aimed to determine the effect of combining IFNα and gefitinib on colon cancer cell line growth. Methods: A panel of nine colon cancer cell lines were characterised for expression of HER1/ EGFR and then treated with gefitinib alone, or IFNα alone, or IFNα plus gefitinib, following a pre-treatment using vehicle or IFNα. Crystal violet staining and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation and expression of HER1/EGFR. The indexes and statistical assays were used to evaluate significant differences between treatment groups against vehicle control. Results: All cell lines except SW620 were HER1/EGFR positive. IFNα treatment was associated with significant up-regulation of cell surface HER1/EGFR expression in all HER1/EGFR-positive cell lines except KM12SM. Concurrent treatment with IFNα and gefitinib, or IFNα pre-treatment followed by gefitinib, or IFNα pre-treatment followed by a combination of IFNα plus gefitinib, additively or supra-additively/synergistically enhanced the sensitivity of the seven HER1/EGFR-up-regulated cell lines. Conclusion: IFNα improves the anti-proliferative effect of EGFR inhibition in colorectal cancer cell lines. This approach may have clinical implications for improving treatment based on targeting of HER1/EGFR

Lebensrettende Maßnahmen bei Kindern („paediatric life support“): Kapitel 6 der Leitlinien zur Reanimation 2015 des European Resuscitation Council

SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe