Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of autophagy on growth inhibition of Gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Methods The content of autophagy marker LC3II was detected by Western blotting and LC3 antibody, and whether Gefitinib could induce autophagy in NSCLC Calu6 and H460 cells were determined. H460 and Calu6 cells were transfected with enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-LC3b plasmid, and were treated with 40 μmol/L Gefitinib for 48 h respectively. The distribution of green fluorescence protein (GFP) was observed. In addition, H460 cells were treated with Everolimus, Gefitinib, and Everolimus combined with Gefitinib respectively. Ten days later, cells were stained with crystal violet, cell clonies were counted under microscope, and growth inhibition rates were calculated. Results Western blotting revealed that LC3Ⅱ was significantly accumulated after treatment with 40 μmol/L Gefitinib for 48 h, and green fluorescence was dispersedly distributed. There were significant differences in numbers of clony formation among H460 cells treated with Everolimus, Gefitinib, and Everolimus combined with Gefitinib (P<0.05), and the growth inhibition rate of Everolimus combined with Gefitinib was the highest. Conclusion Gefitinib induces autophagy in NSCLC cells, and autophagy induction enhances growth inhibition of Gefitinib on NSCLC cells.

Key words: non-small lung cancer, Gefitinib, autophagy