Objective: To study the functional status of tumor suppressor gene p53 in relation to chemotherapeutic sensitivity in colon cancer cell lines.
Methods: With the use of functional assay (FASAY) of p53, the existing p53 status (wt, mt) of 6 colon cancer cell lines was determined. The difference in chemotherapeutic sensitivity of colon cancer cells with wild-type p53 was compared with those with mutated type p53 by MTT method, followed by cytometic analysis of cell cycle.
Results: The chemotherapeutic sensitivity of Lovo and LS 174T cancer cell lines with wild-type p53 was 5-10 times higher than that of 4 other cell lines with mutated p53. Selective apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G1 phase occurred when treated with adriamycin.
Conclusion: The functional status of p53 in human colon cancer cell lines directly affects their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents.