ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to explore the expression of erbBs in U937, an acute monocyte leukemia cell line, and their impact on the growth of this cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of erbBs was detected by RT-PCR and expression of erbB2 at protein level by Western blot. After U937 cells was treated with EKI-785, an irreversible specific inhibitor of erbBs, the growth was assessed by MTT and growth curve, apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit, and signal pathway was detected by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>erbB2-4 were expressed in U937 cell line, but not erbB1. Especially, protein of erbB2 was expressed in this cell line. After treating with EKI-785, the growth of U937 cells was inhibited and early apoptosis was induced. Moreover, the Ras/MAPK and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were all blocked.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>erbBs may play key roles in the development of some leukemia. Therefore, erbBs may become new targets of treatment to leukemia, and EKI-785 has a potency of clinic use to leukemia.</p>