The effects of All-Trans-Retinoic Acid on the growth of tumor cells

Abstract:

In order to explore the effects of All-Trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA) on the growth of pancreatic cancer and osteosarcoma cells, this study used a larger span of ATRA concentration to treat pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1 and osteosarcoma cells U2OS and cell viability was determined by MTS viability assay. The results indicated that ATRA at a low concentration of 20~100 μmol/L could promote the growth of PANC-1 cells, on the contrary, ATRA at a high concentration of 200 μmol/L inhibited their growth. In U2OS cells, a low concentration of 10~80 μmol/L ATRA could facilitate cell growth, while a high concentration of 150~200 μmol/L ATRA showed a significant inhibitory effect on cell growth. The growth-promoting effects of low concentration ATRA could be inhibited by Bortezomib（BTZ）, while the inhibitory effects of high concentration ATRA could be enhanced by BTZ. The combination of ATRA and BTZ at low concentration reduced the expression of the apoptotic precursor protein Procaspase3, suggesting that the combination might affect the apoptotic pathway. This is the first report for the double-sided effects of different concentrations of ATRA on the growth of pancreatic cancer and osteosarcoma cells, reminding us that more attention should be paid to the impact of ATRA dosage on clinical therapy.