ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of hydrocamptothecin on the expression of Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor DKK-1 in tumor cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human HepG2, Hep3B, LoVo and U251 cells were treated with the antitumor drug Hydrocamptothecin. DKK-1 mRNA expression in the cells was detected with RT-PCR, and beta-catenin expression was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>DKK mRNA in Hep3B, HepG2, LoVo and U251 cells was significantly increased after hydrocamptothecin treatment for 24 h, and the percentage of beta-catenin-positive cells and fluorescence intensity for beta-catenin expression was lowered in the cells after the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hydrocamptothecin promotes mRNA expression of Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor DKK-1 in Hep3B, HepG2, LoVo and U251 cells.</p>