Apoptosis of LoVo colon cancer cells induced by tamoxifen and its mechanism

Objective To evaluate apoptosis of LoVo colon cancer cells induced by tamoxifen and to investigate its mechanism. Methods Apoptosis of the cells was measured by TUNEL method and flow cytometry. The expression of ERs and survivin were determined by Western blot method. Results Treatment with TAM at a concentration of 1×10-5 and 1×10-4 mol/L, the apoptosis increased at a apoptotic percentage of 17. 01% and 59. 24% , respectively by flow cytometer. The apotosis rate between TAM and controlled group showed significant defference at 1×10-4 and 1×10-3 mol/L. The expression of ERβ could be detected in LoVo cells, while the expression of ERα could not. Further study showed that TAM can decrease the expression of survivin. 5-FU while can't do so. Conclusions TAM induces LoVo cells apoptosis in vitro with the mechanism of inhibiting survivin expression.