EFFECT OF VITAMIN C IN COMBINATION WITH PACLITAXEL ON GROWTH, CELL CYCLE AND APOPTOSIS OF BREAST CANCER MCF-7 CELLS

Objective To study the effect of vitamin C(VC) in combination with paclitaxel on growth,cell cycle and apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Method Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay and cell autophagy was observed by laser confocal microscopy.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined by flow-cytometry.Results The growth and proliferation of MCF-7 could be promoted by VC alone,and inhibited by paclifaxel alone or combined with VC to be arrested in G2 phase and apoptotic.The inhibitory effect on proliferation was different due to different orders between the use of paclitaxel and VC.In treatment of paclitaxel with combination of VC,the inhibitory effect on proliferation was markedly enhanced.Under this condition,the IC50 of paclitaxel was the lowest.Conclusions Vitamin C can increase the sensitivity of MCF-7 to paclitaxel through affecting distribution of cell cycle and promoting apoptosis.