Background and purpose: The purpose of our study is to examine the capacity of cetuximab to reverse radiation resistance and investigate molecular mechanisms in human radiation-resistant esophageal carcinoma cell line KYSE-150R.
Materials and methods: The radioresistant cell line KYSE-150R was established by using fractionated irradiation (FIR). The KYSE-150R cell line was exposed to radiation, treatment with cetuximab, and combined treatment. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. Radiation survival was analyzed using clonogenic assays. RT(2) profiler PCR array was performed to analyze EGF/PDGF signaling pathway genes.
Results: The established esophageal carcinoma cell line KYSE-150R showed higher radioresistance than parental cell line. Cetuximab could reverse the radiation resistance of KYSE-150R cells. Cell cycle analysis showed that combination with radiation and cetuximab resulted in the accumulation of cells in G1 and G2/M phases, with the reduction of cells within the S phase. Cetuximab enhanced the apoptosis induced by radiation. RT(2) profiler array showed that some intracellular signaling genes deriving from EGF/PDGF signaling pathway regulated by cetuximab.
Conclusions: Irradiation combined with EGFR blocked by cetuximab may reverse the resistance to radiation in radioresistant esophageal carcinoma cell. The mechanisms may include cell cycle perturbation and enhancement of radiation-induced apoptosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of cetuximab in combination with radiotherapy in the management of esophageal carcinoma.