Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions
Published on: May 27, 2021
Lung cancer cell line sensitivity to Zoledronic acid is BAX-dependent
Takayuki Aoyagi1, Takeshi Morii, Kouki Ohtsuka
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyorin University, 6-20-2 Shinkawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8611 Japan. t-morii@gb3.so-net.ne.jp.
Background:
Zoledronate (Zol), an anti-osteoclastic and anticancer drug, is used to control bone metastasis in several cancer types, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanisms behind Zol resistance in NSCLC are unclear.
Materials And Methods:
Zol-resistant cell lines were developed by repeated treatment of A549 and H1650 NSCLC cell lines with Zol. We measured cell proliferation and apoptosis following Zol treatment and also examined the BCL2 superfamily expression. RNAi was used to confirm the role of key molecules in development of resistance.
Results:
Repeated Zol treatment engendered resistance, in which apoptosis induction was attenuated. From the BCL2 superfamily, BAX was commonly down-regulated in resistant cells, and silencing of BAX in parental cell lines also induced drug resistance.
Conclusion:
Repeated treatment of NSCLC cell lines with Zol leads to drug resistance, which is in part due to BAX down-regulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...