Effect of artemether on radiosensitivity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1

Objective: To evaluate the effect of artemether on the cell cycle and the radiosensitivity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1. Methods: Cell growth inhibition was assessed with MTT. The method of colony-forming was used to detect the radiation sensitivity. Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by using flow cytometry. The protein expressions of cyclin B1 and Wee1 were detected by using Western blot. Results: The growth of CNE-1 cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration of 20 μmol/L artemether had radiosensitive effect on CNE-1 cells at 24 h after administration, and SER was 1.481. When CNE-1 was irradiated, the G2/M cells increased (t=4.59, P<0.05). After exposure to combination of artemether and irradiation, the G2/M cells were decreased (t=10.60, P<0.05). Western blot showed that aretemether increased the level of cyclin B1 expression and inhibited the level of Weel expression. Conclusions: The noncytotoxic concentration of artemether could enhance radiosensitization of CNE-1 cells. The radiosensitivity enhancement of artemether might depend on the exposure time. The effect is most obvious when radiation is delivered 24 h after expose to artemetherr. The radiosensitizing effect could be related to apoptosis. (authors)