Background and Purpose
Arsenic trioxide (ATO) exerts anticancer effects on
lung cancer. However, the clinical use of ATO is limited due to its systemic
toxicity and resistance of
lung cancer cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of ATO, alone and in combination with 125I
seed implantation on
tumor growth and proliferation in
lung cancer xenograft mice, and investigate the possible molecular mechanisms.
Methods The
transmission electron microscope observed the
tumor ultrastructure of
lung cancer xenograft mice. The proliferation index of Ki-67 and the number and morphology of
tumor microvessels were detected with immunohistochemical
staining. The
protein and
mRNA expression were examined by
western blot and
real-time PCR assay. Results The in vivo results demonstrated that ATO combined with 125I
seed significantly inhibited
tumor growth and proliferation, as well as promoted
apoptosis, and decreased the Ki-67 index and
microvessel density in
lung cancer xenograft mice. Moreover, ATO combined with 125I
seed decreased the
protein and
mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α,
VEGF, and BCL-2, and increased those of BAX and P53. Conclusions ATO combined with 125I
seed significantly inhibited
tumor growth and proliferation in
lung cancer, which may be accomplished by inhibiting
tumor angiogenesis and inducing
apoptosis (AU)