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Mol. Cells 2004; 17(1): 45-50
Published online January 1, 1970
© The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology
NS398 Inhibits the Growth of Hep3B Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Caspase-independent Apoptosis
Overexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is associated with the development of a number of human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, NS398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, has been found to inhibit the growth of COX-2 expressing HCC cell lines. However, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. Here, we report that NS398 inhibits the growth of the Hep 3B human HCC cell line and that inhibition results from the induction of apoptosis with no evidence of cell cycle arrest. We also show that the extent of apoptosis is greatly influenced by culture conditions. The NS398-induced apoptosis in Hep 3B cells is caspase-independent. Our data point to the feasibility of preventing HCC by means of COX-2 inhibitors, and show that the environment influences the cytotoxic effect of NS398 on cancer cells.
Keywords Apoptosis; Cyclooxygenase 2; Hep 3B; NS398; Selective COX-2 Inhibitor
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Research Article
Mol. Cells 2004; 17(1): 45-50
Published online February 29, 2004
Copyright © The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology.
NS398 Inhibits the Growth of Hep3B Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Caspase-independent Apoptosis
Mi Kyung Park, Sun Young Hwang, Jin Oh Kim, Mi Hee Kwack, Jung-Chul KIm, Moon Kyu Kim, Young Kwan Sung
Abstract
Overexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is associated with the development of a number of human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, NS398, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, has been found to inhibit the growth of COX-2 expressing HCC cell lines. However, the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. Here, we report that NS398 inhibits the growth of the Hep 3B human HCC cell line and that inhibition results from the induction of apoptosis with no evidence of cell cycle arrest. We also show that the extent of apoptosis is greatly influenced by culture conditions. The NS398-induced apoptosis in Hep 3B cells is caspase-independent. Our data point to the feasibility of preventing HCC by means of COX-2 inhibitors, and show that the environment influences the cytotoxic effect of NS398 on cancer cells.
Keywords: Apoptosis, Cyclooxygenase 2, Hep 3B, NS398, Selective COX-2 Inhibitor
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