Synergy of gemcitabine and lidamycin associated with NF-kappaB downregulation in pancreatic carcinoma cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects on human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 and SW1990 cells using a combination of lidamycin (LDM) and gemcitabine.

Methods: A 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to determine the growth inhibition of drugs in PANC-1 and SW1990 cells. The effects on apoptosis were measured by terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay and flow cytometry combined with fluorescein- isothiocyanate-Annexin V/propidium iodide staining.

Sodium caffeate induces endothelial cell apoptosis and inhibits VEGF expression in cancer cells.

Aim: To investigate the induction of endothelial cell apoptosis and the suppression of VEGF expression in cancer cells by sodium caffeate (SCA).

Methods: Apoptosis of transformed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV304 cell line) was detected by flow cytometry, DNA electrophoresis assay and morphological assessment. Western blotting analysis was applied for determination of VEGF expression in cancer cells.