Effects of NOTCH1 signaling inhibitor γ-secretase inhibitor II on growth of cancer stem cells.

The present study aimed to observe the effect of the Notch1 signaling inhibitor γ-secretase inhibitor II (GSI II) on the growth and differentiation of tumor cells. The tumor cell line U87 was grown in serum-free media, and cell growth was evaluated using immunofluorescence. Single-cell wall-adherent growing conditions were prepared, GSI II was added, and the differentiation and growth of single tumor cells was evaluated. Immunofluorescence demonstrated positive results for the expression of Nestin and cluster of differentiation 133. The cell proliferation rate was reduced following the addition of GSI II (P<0.05). GSI II may significantly inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of U87 tumor stem cells.