[In vitro effect of epirubicin on human esophageal carcinoma cell line (Eca 109)]

Epirubicin is toxic, even at low concentration, to human esophageal carcinoma cell line (Eca 109). The survival response of exponential population growth of cells is biphasic: n = 1, Do = 0.27 micrograms/ml for 1 hr in the most sensitive population; Do = 7.90 micrograms/ml for 1 hr in the more resistant population. There was rapid cell killing effect at a high concentration (10 micrograms/ml Epirubicin for 1 hr). Exposure of cultured Eca 109 cells to Epirubicin led to an accumulation of cells with DNA content of S and G2 phases. Morphologic changes were mainly confined in the nucleus but cytoplasm was also affected when higher drug concentration or longer exposure time were used. Effects of epirubicin on cell growth, cell survival and cell cycle progression is dependent on both drug concentration and the duration of exposure.