Tetrandrine Increases the Sensitivity of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma PC14 Cells to Gefitinib by Lysosomal Inhibition.

Background/aim: Human lung adenocarcinoma PC14 cells without mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are less sensitive to gefitinib than PC9 cells with EGFR mutations. We report the involvement of tetrandrine in autophagy flux as a mechanism that enhances the sensitivity of PC14 cells to gefitinib.

Materials And Methods: Sensitivity to gefitinib was determined by a growth inhibition assay, and quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting, and fluorescent immunostaining were used to detect autophagy.