Docetaxel inhibits SMMC-7721 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells growth and induces apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the in vitro anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) activity of docetaxel against SMMC-7721 HCC cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS: The HCC cells were given different concentrations of docetaxel and their growth was measured by colony forming assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy (acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining, AO/EB), as well as electronic microscopy. The SMMC-7721 HCC cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were measured after given docetaxel. RESULTS: Docetaxel inhibited the hepatocellular carcinoma cells growth in a concentration dependent manner with IC(50) 5 x 10(-10)M. Marked cell apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest were observed after treatment with docetaxel >=10(-8)M. Docetaxel promoted SMMC-7721 HCC cells ROS generation and GSH deletion. CONCLUSION: Docetaxel suppressed the growth of SMMC-7721 HCC cells in vitro by causing apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest of the human hepatoma cells, and ROS and GSH may play a key role in the inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis.