Topotecan induces apoptosis and cell cycles arrest in human liver cancer HCC7721 cells

OBJECTIVE:To study the proapoptotic effects of topotecan (TPT) on human liver cancer HCC7721 cells.METHODS:The cytotoxic effect of topotecan on HCC7721 cells was measured by MTT assay, the morphological changes observed by a eletronic microscope, DNA fragmentation detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the cell cycles and DNA content detected by flow cytometry.RESULTS:After incubated with 0.3 μmol/L topotecan for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 36 h, the survival rates in HCC7721 cells significantly reduced to (83±16)%,(69±10)%,(52±13)% and (30±11)%,P0.05,respectively Targeted cells demonstrated cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and margination. Ladder DNA and aneuploid peak were detected. Meanwhile, treated by topotecan for 24 h, there was a remarkable accumulation of cells in the G 0/G 1 phase of the cell cycles, and the cells in S phase declined.CONCLUSION:Topotecan can inhibit proliferation in human liver cancer HCC7721 cells,with G 0/G 1 arrest and induction of apoptosis.