J Korean Soc Ther Radiol Oncol.  2010 Sep;28(3):147-154. 10.3857/jkstro.2010.28.3.147.

Combination Effect of Nimotuzumab with Radiation in Colorectal Cancer Cells

• Shin HK
• Kim MS
• Jeong JH

• KMID: 1460147
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3857/jkstro.2010.28.3.147

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the radiosensitizing effect of the selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor nimotuzumab in human colorectal cancer cell lines.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Four human colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT-8, LoVo, WiDr, and HCT-116 were treated with nimotuzumab and/or radiation. The effects on cell proliferation, viability, and cell cycle progression were measured by MTT, clonogenic survival assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot.
RESULTS
An immunoblot analysis revealed that EGFR phosphorylation was inhibited by nimotuzumab in colorectal cancer cell lines. Under these experimental conditions, pre-treatment with nimotuzumab increased radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cell lines, except for cell line HCT-116. However, cell proliferation or cell cycle progression was not affected by the addition of nimotuzumab, irrespective of irradiation.
CONCLUSION
Nimotuzumab enhanced the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells in vitro by inhibiting EGFR-mediated cell survival signaling. This study provided a rationale for the clinical application of the selective EGFR inhibitor, nimotuzumab in combination with radiation in colorectal cancer cells.

Keyword

Colorectal cancer; EGFR; Nimotuzumab; Radiation; Combined therapy

MeSH Terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Blotting, Western
Cell Cycle
Cell Line
Cell Proliferation
Cell Survival
Colorectal Neoplasms
Flow Cytometry
Humans
Phosphorylation
Radiation Tolerance
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor