Anti-CD20 and -PD-1 antibody effects on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of endometrial cancer cells

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Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis
07:46

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis

Published on: October 13, 2023

Jinqiu Su1,2, Jiayuan Du1,2, Yaojie Yu1,2

  • 1Department of Gynecology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi 530200, P.R. China.

Oncology Letters
|June 30, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that combining Rituximab (anti-CD20) and Pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) effectively inhibits endometrial cancer cell growth, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This combination therapy offers a promising strategy for endometrial cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Endometrial cancer (EC) remains a significant health concern.
  • Targeting cell surface markers and immune checkpoints is a key strategy in cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the functional effects of Rituximab (anti-CD20) and Pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1) on endometrial cancer cells.
  • To investigate the synergistic potential of combining these two antibodies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of MS4A1 and PDCD1 expression in EC tissues using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and R programming.
  • Assessment of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression in EC cell lines (Ishikawa, HEC-1A) following treatment with Rituximab and Pembrolizumab using CCK-8 assays and flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • Both MS4A1 and PDCD1 were found to be significantly upregulated in EC tissues and cells.
  • Rituximab and Pembrolizumab demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of EC cell proliferation.
  • Both antibodies induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in EC cells.
  • The combination of Rituximab and Pembrolizumab exhibited enhanced and more potent anti-cancer effects compared to monotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • The combination of anti-CD20 and PD-1 antibodies exerts synergistic antiproliferative effects on endometrial cancer cells.
  • This combination therapy presents a promising therapeutic strategy for endometrial cancer.
Keywords:
PD-1 antibodyanti-CD20 antibodyapoptosiscell cycleendometrial cancerproliferation

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