Objective: To study the toxic effect of toremifene (TOR) and its synergistic effect with cisplatin (DDP) on human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.
Methods: The cytotoxic effects of these agents on human lung cancer cell line A549 were monitored by a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (MTT assay). The cell cycle and DNA content were detected by flow cytometer technic. p21 expression level was monitored by Western blot.
Results: Toremifene inhibited the growth of A549 cell, with > or = 5 micromol/L significantly enhancing the chemosensitivity of cisplatin. TOR enhanced the antitumor activity of DDP at S, G(2) and M phases of cells. And p21 expression was increased after TOR and DDP had been given.
Conclusion: Toremifene (> or = 5 micromol/L) combined with cisplatin shows significant synergistic anti-tumor effect on A549 cells.