The effect of ZD1839 (IressaTM), an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with cisplatin, on apoptosis in SCC-15 cells

• Published in: Cell proliferation 2005-04, Vol.38 (2), p.77-86
• Main Authors: Al-Hazzaa, A., Bowen, I. D., Randerson, P., Birchall, M. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Apoptosis - drug effects; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cisplatin - administration & dosage; Cisplatin - pharmacology; Drug Synergism; ErbB Receptors - antagonists & inhibitors; Gefitinib; Head and Neck Neoplasms - metabolism; Head and Neck Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Original; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism; Quinazolines - administration & dosage; Quinazolines - pharmacology; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - metabolism
• ISSN: 0960-7722; 1365-2184
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2005.00332.x

.  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ZD1839 on growth and apoptosis in SCC‐15 (a human head and neck cancer cell line) alone, or in combination with cisplatin. High expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor has been implicated in the development of squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck. ZD1839 (‘Iressa’) is an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks signal transduction pathways implicated in proliferation and survival of cancer cells, and other host‐dependent processes promoting cancer growth. Here, growth arrest was observed with 3.64 µm ZD1839. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (sMTT) viability assay revealed a significant decrease (P