Arsenic trioxide (As_2O_3) induced apoptosis and its mechanisms in a human esophageal squamous carcinoma cell line

摘要

Objective To study whether As_2O_3 has an apoptotic effect on human solid tumor cells, and the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of this treatment using human esophageal squamous carcinoma cells (EC8712) as a model. Methods DNA microarray, biochemical and cytological analyses were used. Results The growth and survival of EC8712 cells were markedly inhibited by As_2O_3 treatment at a concentration of 1, 2 and 4 pmol/L. EC8712 cells were obviously arrested at G2/M phase with As2O3 treatment and apoptosis induced at micromolar As_2O_3 concentrations, as shown by morphology, histogram related nuclear DNA contents, and DNA gel electrophoresis. As_2O_3 activated caspase-3, which might be involved in the process of As_2O_3, induced apoptosis in EC8712 cells. Conclusions As_2O_3 changes the expression of many genes at transcription level. The regulation of expression of many genes might be involved in the process of As_2O_3 inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that As_2O_3 can be clinically useful for solid tumor treatment.