Differential susceptibility to 9-nitrocamptothecin (9-NC)-induced apoptosis in clones derived from a human ovarian cancer cell line: possible implications in the treatment of ovarian cancer patients with 9-NC

Abstract

We have investigated whether variability in the apoptotic pathway may account for the differential susceptibility to apoptosis-induction by 9-nitrocamptothecin (9-NC) in cell subpopulations derived from the human ovarian cancer cell line, SKOV-3. Quantitative differences in the apoptotic fractions of cells were assessed by flow cytometry, whereas major regulatory and executing components of the apoptotic machinery were investigated by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies. The results indicate that indeed the apoptotic pathway was activated by 9-NC in some, but not all, cells of the SKOV-3 cell line, suggesting that 9-NC alone may partially be effective for treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.

Sclareol induces apoptosis in human HCT116 colon cancer cells in vitro and suppression of HCT116 tumor growth in immunodeficient mice

“…Flow cytometry analysis of cell cycle and assessment of apoptosis Untreated and sclareol-treated cells were collected at the desired periods of time, and then prepared and subjected to flow cytometry analysis to monitor perturbations in the cell cycle and apoptosis as described [18,19,26,27]. In addition, apoptosis was assessed with the aid of the ssDNA Apoptosis, and the Cellular DNA Fragmentation ELISA kits.…”

“…Cells were washed twice in ice-cold PBS, detached with a latex cell-remover, collected by gentle centrifugation, and whole cell protein extracts were prepared as previously described [26][27][28]. Protein concentrations were determined with the Bradford assay, and subsequently, aliquots containing 30 µg of protein were subjected to gel electrophoresis on 8% or 10% polyacylamide SDS-gels, and then transferred to PVDF membranes (Millipore Immobilon).…”