Objective: To investigate the synergistic cytotoxicity of TRAIL and paclitaxel on laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line Hep-2.
Method: Hep-2 cells were exposed to various concentrations of TRAIL and paclitaxel respectively or jointly. The inhibition rate was measured by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis rate and the expressions of DR4, DR5, DcR1 and DcR2 in Hep-2 cells were detected by flow cytometry methods.
Result: Hep-2 cells were resistant to apoptosis induced by TRAIL. Paclitaxel could enhance its sensitivity to TRAIL by up-regulating the expressions of TRAIL death receptors in Hep-2 cells.
Conclusion: The resistance of Hep-2 cell to TRAIL could be overcome by paclitaxel. TRAIL and paclitaxel have synergistic killing effects on Hep-2 cells, so they might have a promising prospect in clinical therapy of laryngeal squamous carcinoma.