Synergistic interaction between gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) and paclitaxel against human gastric carcinoma cells

Anticancer Drugs. 2004 Sep;15(8):809-18. doi: 10.1097/00001813-200409000-00011.

Abstract

We have evaluated the antitumor effects of gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) in SNU-1 human gastric cancer cells (hMLH1-deficient and epidermal growth factor receptor-overexpressed) when given alone or as a doublet with oxaliplatin (LOHP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or paclitaxel (PTX). The four drugs showed IC50s ranging from 1.81 nM to 13.2 microM. LOHP and PTX induced G2/M arrest, 5-FU increased S phase, and gefitinib increased G1 in a concentration-dependent manner. The analysis using the previously developed cytostatic TPi model showed that 64 and 80% of the overall growth inhibition was attributed to cell cycle arrest in cells exposed to 7.55 microM of LOHP or 10 nM of PTX for 72 h, respectively. PTX + gefitinib showed greatest synergism as determined by combination index analysis and apoptosis induced by PTX was potentiated by the co-administration of gefitinib. LOHP + gefitinib showed a similar, although to a lesser degree, synergistic effect. This study demonstrates the antitumor activity and the significant cell cycle arrest induced by gefitinib in SNU-1 human gastric carcinoma cells, and its synergistic interaction with LOHP and PTX.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Base Pair Mismatch / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • DNA Repair / genetics
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor / methods
  • Drug Synergism*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • ErbB Receptors / drug effects
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology
  • Formazans
  • G1 Phase / drug effects
  • G2 Phase / drug effects
  • Gefitinib
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Models, Biological
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • Neoplasm Proteins / drug effects
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / pharmacology
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology*
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tetrazolium Salts

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Formazans
  • MLH1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Quinazolines
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Oxaliplatin
  • MTT formazan
  • ErbB Receptors
  • MutL Protein Homolog 1
  • Paclitaxel
  • Gefitinib
  • Fluorouracil