In vitro study on blocking mTOR signaling pathway in EGFR-TKI resistance NSCLC.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect and mechanism of inhibitor everolimus on EGFR-TKI resistance NSCLC.

METHODS

MTT assay was used to detect proliferation of human non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of apoptosis and cycle distribution in each group after 24 h and 48 h. RT-PCR was used to detect the changes of PTEN and 4EBP1 expression levels after 48 h of monotherapy and combination therapy.

RESULTS

MTT assay showed that everolimus had dose-dependent inhibition against growth of A549 cells. Flow cytometry showed when everolimus could induce apoptosis and induce G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest, which was time-dependent (P<0.05). RT-PCR showed everolimus could increase PTEN and 4EBP1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

mTOR inhibitor everolimus has an inhibitory effect on EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC, which cannot reverse the resistance effect of EGFR-TKI resistant cell line A549. The relationship between EGFR/AKT signaling pathway and the mTOR signaling pathway and the mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer need further study.