ONCOmmunity

Effects of acute and chronic hypoxia on the radiosensitivity of gastric and esophageal cancer cells

By: Kato Y, Yashiro M, Fuyuhiro Y, Kashiwagi S, Matsuoka J, Hirakawa T, Noda S, Aomatsu N, Hasegawa T, Matsuzaki T, Sawada T, Ohira M, Hirakawa K.

Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan. m9312510@med.osaka-cu.ac.jp.
Anticancer Res. 2011 Oct; 31(10):3369-75.

Abstract

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of hypoxia on radiosensitivity and to analyze the mechanisms responsible for radiation resistance in gastric and esophageal cancer.

Materials and Methods

A gastric cancer cell line, OCUM-12, and an esophageal cancer cell line, TE-6, were used. The effects of hypoxia with irradiation on the growth-activity, cell cycle distribution, and gene expression were examined.

Results

Both acute and chronic hypoxia decreased radiosensitivity of cancer cells. The radiosensitivity of chronic hypoxic cells was significantly enhanced by reoxygenation. Acute and chronic all hypoxia reduced the percentage of cells in the G(2)/M and S phases, respectively. In acute hypoxia, the mRNA expression of BRCA1 and BRCA2 was reduced in cancer cells. Reoxygenation increased the expression of BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Conclusion

Hypoxia is associated with radiation resistance. Therefore, reoxygenation may enhance the radiosensitivity of hypoxic cells. BRCA1 and BRCA2 may be associated with factors for radiation resistance by regulation of cell cycle progression.

PMID: 21965748 Source: National Library of Medicine.