Effect of epothilone B on cell cycle, metabolic activity, and apoptosis induction on human epithelial cancer cells-under special attention of combined treatment with ionizing radiation

Cancer Invest. 2012 Oct;30(8):593-603. doi: 10.3109/07357907.2012.716469. Epub 2012 Aug 21.

Abstract

In recent studies, epothilone B was shown to have a cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effect on cells. The aim of our investigation was to explain this impact by examining the mode of action of epothilone B on FaDu and A549 tumor cells. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle distribution and for the evaluation of apoptosis. Metabolic activity was studied by proliferation assay. Influence on nuclei morphology was investigated by DNA-staining. We showed that epothilone B-induced G2/M accumulation is the main rationale for drug-induced radiosensitivity. The cytotoxic effect resulted in apoptotic cell death, decreased metabolic activity, and formation of multinucleated cells.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / radiation effects*
  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects*
  • Cell Cycle / radiation effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epothilones / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Radiation, Ionizing
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Epothilones
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • epothilone B