ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the underlying mechanism of apoptosis-inducing effect of a specific COX-2 inhibitor SC236 in gastric cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Western blot analysis was used to measure apoptosis-related proteins, cytochrome c, and caspase-3. The catalytic activity of the caspases was measured using a colorimetric assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment of AGS gastric cancer cells with SC236 caused a significant elevation of the pro-apoptotic protein Bak, release of cytochrome c to the cytosol, and activation of caspase-3. A specific caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, blocked SC236-induced apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SC236 inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells at least partly through the up-regulation of Bak, stimulation of cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase-3.</p>