Antitumor activity of a combination of trastuzumab (Herceptin) and oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-overexpressing pancreatic cancer

Oncol Rep. 2007 Aug;18(2):433-9.

Abstract

The cytotoxic effect of trastuzumab in combination with oral fluoropyrimidine S-1 on human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-overexpressing human pancreatic cancer cell line TRG in vitro and in vivo was investigated. HER2 expression in TRG was analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. For in vitro experiments, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was used instead of S-1. In vivo studies were conducted with TRG xenografts in athymic mice. Trastuzumab (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once a week for 4 weeks. S-1 (10 mg/kg) was administered orally 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The results showed that TRG cells were positive for HER2 mRNA and overexpressed HER2 protein. Either trastuzumab or 5-FU concentration-dependently inhibited the growth of TRG cells. The combination of trastuzumab and 5-FU resulted in a significant inhibition of growth of TRG cells compared to either agent alone (P<0.001). Incubation of TRG cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells after treatment with trastuzumab enhanced the antiproliferative effect of trastuzumab, which could be the result of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. The combination of trastuzumab and S-1 resulted in a significant reduction in xenograft volume compared to each agent alone (P<0.0001). In conclusion, this study showed that combination therapy with trastuzumab and S-1 may be effective for HER2-overexpressing pancreatic cancer patients.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Combinations
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Oxonic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics*
  • Receptor, ErbB-3 / genetics
  • Receptor, ErbB-4
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Tegafur / administration & dosage
  • Trastuzumab
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Drug Combinations
  • RNA, Messenger
  • S 1 (combination)
  • Tegafur
  • Oxonic Acid
  • ERBB4 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Erbb4 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Receptor, ErbB-3
  • Receptor, ErbB-4
  • Trastuzumab