Effects and Mechanism of Imatinib in Inhibiting Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation.

Background: This study investigated the effects and mechanism of imatinib in inhibiting colon cancer cell proliferation. Material/Methods: The SW480 cells were divided into 4 imatinib-treated groups: 0 mu M, 1.25 mu M, 2.5 mu M, and 5 mu M. We analyzed the apoptosis and cell cycle of the 4 groups. The gene and protein expressions of p21, p27, HGF, and GAPDH were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results: Compared with the 0-mu M imatinib-treated group, the apoptosis of 1.25-mu M, 2.5-mu M, and 5.0-mu M treated groups was significantly induced (P<0.05, all). The G1 phase was significantly up-regulated in the 1.25-mu M, 2.5-mu M, and 5.0-mu M treated groups compared with the 0-mu M imatinib-treated group (P<0.05, respectively), but the S and G2 phase of 3 imatinib-treated groups were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05, all). The gene and protein expressions of p27 and HGF were significantly different among the 4 groups (P<0.05, all). Conclusions: Imatinib inhibits proliferation of colon cancer cells by reducing HGF and increasing p27 in a dose-dependent manner.