Imatinib induces up-regulation of , a metastasis suppressor gene, in human Hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) Cell Line.

AIM

The present study investigated the anti-tumor activity of Imatinib mesylate through modulation of gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line.

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered to be the third leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. Down regulation of , a metastasis suppressor gene, has been associated with several types of malignant cancer. Recently, effects of Imatinib mesylate, a first member of tyrosine kinases inhibitors, were indicated in research and treatment of different malignant tumors.

METHODS

Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay after HepG2 cells exposure to Imatinib mesylate at various concentrations of 0, 1.56, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25,50μM for 24 hours. Also, quantitative real time PCR technique was applied for the detection of gene expression in HepG2 cell line.

RESULTS

There was a dose dependent increase in the cytotoxicity effect of imatinib. The real time PCR results demonstrated that inhibitory effect of Imatinib mesylate on viability via up regulation of gene expression compared to gene (internal control gene) in cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

According to our findings, imatinib can modulate metastasis by enhancing gene expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line.