Apoptosis Induction with Enhancement of BAX/BCL2 Gene Expression Ratio via Combination Therapy in HT29 Colon Cancer Cells

Background and Aim: Combination therapy is one of the new strategies that minimize resistance to chemotherapy and reduces drug toxicity. Here, we investigated the effect of combination therapy with 5-Fluorouracil and Gamma Tocopherol on cell survival and BAX/BCL2 gene expression ratio in HT29 colon cancer cells. Methods: The proliferation of cancer cells was determined via colony formation assay. BAX/BCL2 ratio was evaluated after incubation with concentrations of 5-Fluorouracil and Gamma Tocopherol via real-time-PCR. Results: The average number of colonies in the cells treated with 5-Fluorouracil, Gamma Tocopherol and their combination of them was 63±4, 78±3, and 28±2, respectively which significantly decreased in the combination group. In contrast with the control group, the BAX/BCL2 ratio remarkably increased when the cell underwent combinational treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: 5-Fluorouracil and Gamma Tocopherol reduced HT 29 cell proliferation. Our results suggest that combination therapy with 5- Fluorouracil and Gamma Tocopherol can be considered as a strategy for induction of apoptosis via increasing the BAX/BCL2 ratio. *Corresponding Author: Nadereh Rashtchizadeh; Email: rashtchizadeh@rocketmail.com Please cite this article as: Bazzaz R, Yaghmaei P, Dastmalchi S, Rashtchizadeh N. Apoptosis Induction with Enhancement of BAX/BCL2 Gene Expression Ratio via Combination Therapy in HT29 Colon Cancer Cells. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2020;6:1-7 (e21). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v6.33489