Vickers SM, Jhala NC, Ahn EY, McDonald JM, Pan G, Bland KI. Tamoxifen (TMX)/Fas induced growth inhibition of human cholangiocarcinoma (HCC) by gamma interferon (IFN-gamma).
Ann Surg 2002;
235:872-8. [PMID:
12035045 PMCID:
PMC1422518 DOI:
10.1097/00000658-200206000-00016]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the response of human cholangoicarcinoma cells to TMX treatment through the Fas pathway by pretreatment with IFN-gamma.
SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA
Cholangiocarcinoma remains one of the most difficult tumors to treat in clinical medicine. Currently, there are no effective chemotherapy treatments for this disease. Surgery offers the only opportunity for a cure, with the majority of patients failing to qualify for such treatment. This study seeks to evaluate a potential new modality for treatment of this disease.
METHODS
Human cholangiocarcinoma cells were treated with anti Fas mab and sorted to two populations (Fas-positive and Fas-negative) by FAC analysis. In vitro individual cell populations were pretreated with IFN-gamma 250 units/mL x 18hs. The treated cells assayed for caspase 3, 7, 8, Bak, and for apoptosis with Annexin V after treatment with or without TMX. In Vivo 2 x 106 5 SK-ChA-1 Fas-negative cells were injected into nude mice for development of tumor xenografts. Mice received either no treatment or intra tumor IFN-gamma and/or intra peritoneal TMX.
RESULTS
More than 90% (90% +/- 3.5%) of Fas-positive and 70% (71 +/- 2.3%) of Fas-negative cells underwent apoptosis after TMX treatment when pretreated with IFN-gamma. In contrast, TMX alone and IFN-gamma alone stimulated apoptosis by only 22% (22 +/- 3%) P <.00013, and 17% (17 +/- 2%) P <.0001 in Fas-ve cells respectively. In vivo human cholangiocarcinomas xenograft growth was significantly inhibited by a combination of TMX + IFN-gamma compared to controls P <.0007.
CONCLUSION
TMX exposure to human cholangiocarcinoma after pretreatment with IFN-gamma allows for induction of apoptosis in vitro and significant inhibition tumor xenograft growth. The combination of these two compounds may provide novel treatment regimen for cholangiocarcinoma.
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