The BH3-mimetic GX15-070 induces autophagy, potentiates the cytotoxicity of carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil in esophageal carcinoma cells.

Despite improvements in both surgical techniques and radio- and chemo-therapy regimens, the prognosis of esophageal cancer is poor. In pursuit of novel effective strategy, this study examined the effect of the BH3-mimetic GX15-070 on esophageal carcinoma cells. We discovered that GX15-070 inhibited the growth of esophageal cancer cells. There was synergism between GX15-070 and carboplatin or 5-fluorouracil. GX15-070 induced autophagy in esophagus cancer cell line EC9706 and osteosarcoma cancer cell line U2OS. 3-methyladenine and chloroquine, inhibitors of autophagy with distinct mechanisms, potentiated the cytotoxicity of GX15-070. In conclusion, GX15-070 inhibits growth of esophageal cancer cells.