Radiation sensitivity of human squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro is modulated by all-trans and 13-cis-retinoic acid in combination with interferon-alpha.

PURPOSE: Retinoids and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) have been shown to exert antiproliferative and radiosensitizing effects. The present study was designed to determine differential effects of retinoids in combination with IFN-alpha on radiation toxicity of 5 human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Using clonogenic assays, the effects of all-trans (ATRA), 13-cis-retinoic acid (13cRA), and IFN-alpha on radiation toxicity were analyzed. Basal mRNA expression of the cytoplasmic retinoic acid binding protein, CRABP I, was determined in retinoid-sensitive and -insensitive cell lines by reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Treatment with ATRA, 13cRA, or IFN-alpha resulted in a cell line-specific inhibition of clonogenic survival. A comparison of retinoid-sensitive and insensitive cells revealed that retinoid sensitivity seems to be dependent on the basal expression level of CRABP I. ATRA, 13cRA, and IFN-alpha alone or in combination altered radiation sensitivity by affecting predominantly the alpha-component of the linear-quadratic dose-response curve. Likewise, depending upon the treatment condition the surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF2) was decreased cell line-specifically. Combined treatment with ATRA or 13cRA and IFN-alpha markedly enhanced radiation cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: These in vitro data indicate that the combined treatment with retinoids, IFN-alpha, and ionizing radiation could be beneficial for patients presenting with SCC.

CRABP I expression and the mediation of the sensitivity of human tumour cells to retinoic acid and irradiation.

PURPOSE: To examine the role cytoplasmic retinoic acid binding protein type 1 (CRABP I) and retinoic acid receptor beta 2 (RAR-beta 2) in mediating radiosensitization of human tumour cells in vitro by retinoic acid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of different types were treated with retinoic acid followed by irradiation. Radiation response under drug treatment was detected by colony-formation assay. mRNA and protein expression levels of CRABP I, RAR-beta and cyclin D1 were investigated under different treatment conditions by room temperature polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The retinoic acid-sensitive cell line HTB35 was transfected for inducible CRABP I overexpression to test the role of this protein in modulating the sensitivity to retinoic acid and radiation as well as in regulating RAR-beta 2 and cyclin D1 expression. RESULTS: The basal CRABP I level clearly correlated with the clonogenic survival of tumour cells and normal fibroblasts after treatment with retinoic acid and ionizing irradiation (IR). Cells expressing high basal CRABP I were more resistant to combined retinoic acid radiation treatment than cells with low basal expression. Overexpression of CRABP I in retinoic acid-sensitive HTB35 cells induced a retinoic acid-insensitive phenotype resistant to combined treatment with retinoic acid and radiation. This effect was independent of RAR-beta 2 expression. CRABP I overexpression resulted in stimulated cyclin D1 expression indicating the dependency of this cell cycle control protein on retinoic acid metabolism. CONCLUSION: CRABP I plays an important role not only in mediating the retinoid effects, but also in modulating the radiation sensitivity of tumour cells after combined retinoic acid radiation treatment.

13-cis retinoic acid in combination with interferon-alpha enhances radiation sensitivity of human squamous cell carcinoma cells of the oral cavity.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical and clinical trials demonstrated the antiproliferative and chemopreventive potential of 13-cis retinoic acid in combination with interferon-alpha. The present study was designed to determine the radiosensitizing potential of both drugs after single and combined treatment of human squamous-cell carcinoma cells of the oral cavity in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed using the human squamous-cell carcinoma cell line SCC4, which was originally established from a tumor of the oral cavity. Based on clonogenic assays, the inhibition of clonogenic activity and radiosensitizing potential of 13-cis retinoic acid and interferon-alpha after single or combined treatment without and with subsequent irradiation was determined. RESULTS: 13-cis retinoic acid (10 microM) and interferon-alpha (50 IU/ml) showed significant inhibition of clonogenic activity after single treatment. A combined treatment protocol resulted at least in a highly significant additive inhibition of clonogenicity. Treatment with both drugs (5 microM 13-cis retinoic acid, 25 IU/ml IFN-alpha) prior and post irradiation of the cells resulted in a pronounced enhancement of radiation toxicity resulting in significantly decreased SF2- and alpha-values. Combined treatment with both drugs was significantly more effective than single drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented indicate that pre- and post-irradiation treatment with 13-cis retinoic acid and interferon-alpha significantly enhance the radiosensitivity of human squamous-cell carcinoma cells, SCC4, in vitro. Therefore, they support the initiation of clinical trials to test the radio-oncological value of such a treatment regime for squamous-cell carcinomas.