γ-secretase inhibition combined with cisplatin enhances apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

The Notch signaling pathway plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of cells. Although recent studies have shown that Notch plays a role in the mechanisms of cisplatin resistance, the mechanism by which Notch plays roles in intrinsic or acquired cisplatin resistance remains unclear. In the present study, poorly differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells were treated with a γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT), which led to a decrease in the Notch intracellular domain and inhibition of Notch signaling.

Suppression of the notch signaling pathway by γ-secretase inhibitor GSI inhibits human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation.

Notch signaling has been suggested to be required for many human cancers. However, the role of Notch signaling in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (NPC) remains unknown. Here, we report that Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-3 and Notch-4 are all detected in NPC cells.