Paclitaxel liposomes exert radio-sensitization effect on breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 by regulating expressions of apoptotic proteins

Purpose: To study the radio-sanitization effect of paclitaxel liposomes on breast cancer cells, SK-BR-3.Methods: Breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 was cultured and made into a cell suspension. Four groups of cells were used: control and radiotherapy groups, paclitaxel group, and paclitaxel liposome + radiotherapy group (combination group). The growth inhibitory effects of the different treatments on SKBR-3 cells were determined with CCK-8 method. Apoptosis in each group was evaluated with flow cytometry, while Western blotting was employed to assay Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and Bax protein levels.Results: There were marked inhibitory effect on growth of SK-BR-3 cells in drug, radiotherapy and combination groups, relative to control, while apoptosis was greater in combination group than in drug and radiotherapy groups (p < 0.05). The Bcl-2 protein level was higher in radiotherapy, drug and combination groups than in control group, while Caspase-3 and Bax proteins were markedly higher thancontrol values (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Paclitaxel liposomes exert radio-sensitization effect on SK-BR-3 by regulating the levels of apoptotic proteins. This provides a basis for research and development of new drugs. Keywords: Paclitaxel liposomes, Apoptotic proteins, Breast cancer, SK-BR-3, Radiotherapy, Sensitization, Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Bax