Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 2007 August; 28 (8): 1224-1230; doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00620.x

Aim: To investigate the expression of sonic hedgehog (SHH) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signal molecules in pancreatic cancer cells, and to assess the inhibitory effects through the blockade of the SHH and EGFR signaling pathways by cyclopamine and Iressa, respectively.

Methods: The expression of SHH and EGFR in pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1, SUIT-2, and ASPC-1) was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. After treatment with different concentrations of cyclopamine, alone or in combination with Iressa, the antiproliferative effect on pancreatic cancer cells was analyzed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assays. A flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the cellular cycle distribution and apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells.

Results: All of the 3 pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed SHH, Smoothened (SMO), and EGFR. Cyclopamine could downregulate the expression of EGFR in all cell lines. Cyclopamine or Iressa could induce a growth inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the combined use of 2.5 µmol/L cyclopamine and 1 µmol/L Iressa induced an enhanced inhibitory effect and a greater apoptosis rate than any agent alone. The percentage of the cell population of the G₀/G₁ and sub-G₁ phases was significantly increased along with the increasing dose of cyclopamine and/or Iressa.

Conclusion: The blockade of the sonic hedgehog signal pathway enhances the antiproliferative effect of the EGFR inhibitor through the downregulation of its expression in pancreatic cancer cells. The simultaneous blockade of SHH and EGFR signaling represents possible targets of new treatment strategies for pancreatic carcinoma.

Keywords: pancreas; cancer; sonic hedgehog; epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor; cyclopa-mine