RESUMO
Objective: To compare the effects of combination of TAM (tamoxifen) and ADR (doxorubicin) with the respective effect of TAM or ADR alone on the growth of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. Methods: The mRNA expression of ER (estrogen receptor) in MG-63 cells was detected by RT-PCR (reverse transcription-PCR). The morphological changes of MG-63 cells treated with TAM or ADR alone as well as the combination of them were observed under an inverted microscope, and the cell viability was tested by MTT colorimetric assay. Results: The expressions of ERα and ERβ were found in MG-63 cells. The typical apoptotic change of MG-63 cells was observed in each drug intervention group but not occurred in the control group without drug intervention. MTT colorimetric analysis demonstrated that the proliferation inhibition rate of MG-63 cells in the combination group was significantly higher (even two-fold higher) than those in the single-drug groups (with the same dose or double dose) (P < 0.05). Conclusion: ERα and ERβ are expressed in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. Both TAM and ADR alone can inhibit the proliferation of MG-63 cells, and the combination of the two can present more obviously inhibitory effect. One of the possible underlying mechanisms might be that TAM can enhance the sensitivity of MG-63 cells to ADR. Copyright © 2013 by TUMOR.