Induction of apoptosis by arsenic trioxide on gastric cancer cell lines

Objective To study the effects of arsenic trioxide (As 2O 3) on gastric cancer cells in induction of apoptosis.Methods Apoptosis and cell cycle changes of MKN 45 and MKN 28 induced by As 2O 3 were investigated by TUNEL method and flow cytometry.Results After 12 hours of exposure to the drug, MKN 45 and MKN 28 exhibited morphologic features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation and formation of apototic bodies. A typical subdiploid peak before G 0/G 1 phase was observed by flow cytometry. The apoptic index was 7-15% by TUNEL and FACS assay.Conclusions Arsenic trioxide can induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells and it might have a promising prospect in the treatment of gastric cancer, and worth further studies.