The C-terminal region of Bfl-1 sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer to gemcitabine-induced apoptosis by suppressing NF-κB activity and down-regulating Bfl-1
2011

Bfl-1 C-terminal region enhances lung cancer treatment with gemcitabine

Sample size: 5 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Kim Min-Kyoung, Jeon Yoon-Kyung, Woo Jong-Kyu, Choi Yun, Choi Dae-Han, Kim Yeul-Hong, Kim Chul-Woo

Primary Institution: Seoul National University College of Medicine

Hypothesis

Can the C-terminal region of Bfl-1 sensitize non-small cell lung cancer to gemcitabine-induced apoptosis by suppressing NF-κB activity?

Conclusion

The study found that combining BC gene therapy with gemcitabine effectively suppressed tumor growth and induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • Low dose gemcitabine activates NF-κB and up-regulates Bfl-1 in NSCLC cells.
  • BC gene therapy inhibited NF-κB activity and decreased Bfl-1 expression.
  • Combined BC and gemcitabine therapy effectively suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model.
  • Direct suppression of Bfl-1 by RNA interference sensitized cells to gemcitabine-induced cell death.

Takeaway

Researchers found a way to make lung cancer cells more sensitive to a common drug called gemcitabine by using a special protein that helps the cells die.

Methodology

The study used in vitro and in vivo experiments with non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and a xenograft model to assess the effects of BC gene therapy and gemcitabine.

Participant Demographics

Nude mice were used for in vivo experiments, and human lung cancer cell lines A549, H157, H460, and PC-9 were used for in vitro studies.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1476-4598-10-98

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