Synergistic Effect of Decitabine and Valproic Acid on Induction of Differentiation in Leukemic HL-60 Cells

OBJECTIVE To investigate the synergistic effect of decitabine(DCA) and valproic acid(VPA) in differentiation induction in leukemic HL-60 cells. METHODS The drug groups were set as follows: control group; DCA group A(1.0 μmol·L^-1); DCA group B(4.0 μmol·L^-1); VPA group(2.0 mmol·L^-1); combination group A(DCA 1.0 μmol·L^-1+VPA 2.0 mmol·L^-1); combination group B(DCA 4.0 μmol·L^-1+VPA 2.0 mmol·L^-1). The cells were treated for 48 h. The CD117, CD34 mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) and CD14, CD11b expression were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS The CD117, CD34 MFI of combination group A and B were significantly lower than their corresponding concentration single drug group(P<0.01). Except CD14 of combination group B, the CD14, CD11b expressions of combination group A and B were significantly lower than their corresponding concentration single drug group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION There is an enhanced differentiation activity of combinations of DCA and VPA in HL-60 cells.