APOPTOSIS OF HUMAN PRIMARY AND METASTATIC COLON ADENOCARCINOMA CELL-LINES IN-VITRO INDUCED BY 5-FLUOROURACIL, VERAPAMIL, AND HYPERTHERMIA

Combined verapamil(V) and hyperthermia(HT) showed a significant decrea se in HT29 SW-620 cell counts by 61.5% and 77.6%, respectively, when c ompared to control. V in conjunction with 5-FU significantly reduced H T-29 count by 37% in comparison to 5-FU alone, and did not enhance the growth inhibitory effect of 5-Fu on SW-620. HT did not enhance the gr owth inhibition seen with 5-FU treatment alone on HT-29, while this co mbination significantly decreased SW-620 cell count by 28.9% in compar ison to administration of 5-FU alone. Joint administration of V and HT with 5-FU appeared to have a possible synergistic effect and reduced HT-29 count by 90% when compared to control. 5-FU alone or in differen t combinations with V and HT, as well as combination V+HT, results in apoptosis.