Influence of Celecoxib on Brest Cancer Cells SKBR-3

OBJECTIVE To approach the effect of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on breast cancer cell growth and its mechanism. METHODS CCK-8 assay was adopted to examine the proliferation of SKBR-3 cells treated by different concentrations of celecoxib. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle of SKBR-3. The levels of PGE2 were measured by ELISA. Western Blot was used to detect the activation states of Caspase-3. RESULTS The inhibition of proliferation of SKBR-3 cells in vitro by celecoxib was observed in time- and dose-dependent effects. With the increase of celecoxib concentration, the cell cycle was arrested at G0/G1, and rate of cells in S-phase was obviously decreased. Levels of PGE2 were inhibited by celecoxib. Caspase-3 was activated in the early stage of apoptosis, but there was no expression in the late stage of apoptosis. CONCLUSION Celecoxib inhibits proliferation of SKBR-3 cells, and induces apoptosis. The mechanism of action may be associated with down-regulation of the expression of COX-2, inhibition of PGE2 and activation of Caspase-3.