[HL-60 cell apoptosis induced by bortezomib alone or in combination with arsenic trioxide in vitro]

To investigate the effect of bortezomib alone and in combination with arsenic trioxide on apoptosis of HL-60 cells.

HL-60 cells were treated with bortezomib alone or in combination with arsenic trioxide for 12 to 48 h and the cell proliferation was analyzed with MTT assay, and cell apoptosis detected by DNA gel electrophoresis, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.

At the concentrations of 10 to 50 nmol/L, bortezomib effectively inhibited HL-60 cell proliferation, and induced cell apoptosis. A 12-hour bortezomib treatment at 10 nmol/L was sufficient to induce cell apoptosis, and prolonged treatment or increased concentration significantly increased HL-60 cell apoptotic rate. Combined treatment of the cells with bortezomib (10 nmol/L) and arsenic trioxide (15 micromol/L) resulted in an even higher cell apoptosis rate than that induced by the respective agent alone.

Bortezomib can induce HL-60 cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and a synergistic effect can be observed of bortezomib and arsenic trioxide in apoptosis induction.