Research on the Combined Effect of Sodium Cantharidinate and Docetaxel on Adenocarcinoma Cell Apoptosis and the Activities of Caspase-8

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibition effects of combination of Docetaxel and Sodium Cantharidinate on human pulmonary adenocarcinoma. METHODS Adenocarcinoma cell line A₅₄₉was chosen and growth inhibition was measured both with MTT colorimetry and FCM assay. Caspase8 was detected by Western blot. RESULTS Either Docetaxel or Sodium Cantharidinate can inhibit the proliferation of A₅₄₉ cell respectively, however, Sodium Cantharidinate can increase the sensitivity of A₅₄₉ cell to Docetaxel when using them at the same time. The difference between single use and combine two drugs is distinct(P<0.05). High-level Caspase8 expression was detected with Docetaxel or Sodium Cantharidinate in A₅₄₉cells by Western blot. CONCLUSION Sodium Cantharidinate can sensitize A₅₄₉ cell to Docetaxel's effects in vitro. The induction of apoptosis may be related to expression of Caspase8.