Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on growth of pancreatic cancer cells and Survivin gene expression

Objective: To observe the inhibitiory effects of all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA) on the pancreatic cancer cells growth in vitro and Survivin gene expression induced by ATRA.Methods: The inhibition rates of proliferation were detected by MTT assay.RT-PCR and flow cytometry were used to detect the expression of Survivin gene and the apoptotic rates.Results: After the treatment with ATRA,the proliferation of PC-3 was inhibited in dose-dependent and time-dependent manner,and the apoptotic rates of PC-3 cells were increased significantly.The expression of Survivin mRNA was decreased obviously in PC-3 cells receiving ATRA treatment compared with those receiving no treatment.Conclusion: ATRA can inhibit pancreatic cancer cells growth,induce cells apoptosis.Survivin gene probably contributes to the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells induced by ATRA.