Effect of trichosanthin on apoptosis and telomerase activity of nasopharyngeal carcinomas in nude mice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of trichosanthin (TCS) on telomerase activity and apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells implanted into nude mice. METHODS: Nude mice implanted with CNE1 and CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines were randomly divided into 3 groups, including TCS group, control group (treatment with saline only), and cyclophosphamide (CTX) group. The weight of mice and the tumor volume were measured. The ultra-microstructural changes were observed by transmission electron microscope. Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of CNE1 and CNE2 cells was determined by the TUNEL method, and telomerase activity by TRAP-ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group (saline group), TCS significantly inhibited the growth of both CNE1 and CNE2 tumor cells. CTX also inhibited the growth of both CNE1 and CNE2 tumor cells but this inhibition was slightly slower compared with the TCS. CONCLUSION: TCS suppresses the growth of CNE1 and CNE2 cells lines in vivo. Its anticancer effects were associated with induction of apoptosis and, at least partially, with suppression of telomerase activity.

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