Molecular mechanisms of ZD1839 (Iressa)-induced apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells.

Aim: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of ZD1839-induced apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells.

Methods: The inhibition of human leukemic U937 cell growth was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphnyl-2H-tetrazolim bromide (MTT) assays, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and cell cycle distribution. The expression of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins was detected by Western blot analysis.