Gefitinib Can More Specifically Inhibit Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation Compared with Paclitaxel as A New Stent Coating Material

Objective: To investigate the different effects of gefitinib, as a new stent coating material, on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) compared with those of paclitaxel. Methods: Cultured VSMCs and ECs were treated with different concentrations of gefitinib and paclitaxel respectively (24h, 48h, and 72h). MTT was used to detect the growth inhibition rate of cells. Western-blot analysis was used to analyze the protein levels of EGFR and p-EGFR. Results: The low concentration of paclitaxel and gefitinib had the same inhibition rate on VSMCs at the same duration. However, with the increasing concentration and extension of time, the inhibition of gefitinib on the proliferation of VSMCs was more obvious than that of paclitaxel. In addition, The inhibition of gefitinib on the proliferation of ECs was lower than that of paclitaxel at the same concentration and duration. EGFR was expressed in both of the two cell lines, while the expression of EGFR was higher in VSMC than in EC. Treatment with gefitinib significantly suppressed the expression of P-EGFR in VSMCs. Conclusion: Both of gefitinib and paclitaxel could inhibit the proliferation of VSMCs and ECs, while the inhibition of gefitinion on the proliferation of ECs was less than the inhibition of paclitaxel. So these results provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the application of gefitinib, as a promising stent coating material, in the treatment of restenosis and thrombosis after PCI.