The effect of cyclooxgenase- 2 inhibitor nimesulide on proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines / 肿瘤研究与临床

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of nimesulide(NIM) on human breast cancer cell lines, including MDA?- MB?- 231(estrogen receptor?- negative) and MCF?- 7 (estrogen receptor?- positive). Methods MDA?- MB?- 231 and MCF?- 7 human breast carcinoma cell lines were treated with NIM in vitro. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, distribution of cell cycle and rate of apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry, meanwhile the rates of apoptosis were estimated on the basis of Annexin V apoptosis detection. The apoptosis was confirmed by ultrastructural alternations. Results The inhibitory effects of NIM on proliferation of MDA?- MB?- 231 and MCF?- 7 cells were associated with cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and with induction of apoptosis, in a time and dose?- dependent manner. Simultaneously, NIM may also inhibit proliferation and stimulate apoptosis of MCF?- 7 cells. Conclusions NIM inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis not only in ER?- positive, but also in ER?- negative breast cancer cells. There were two different mechanisms underlying the anti?- carcinogenic action of NIM, namely, dependent on the expression of COX?- 2 protein or not.