Antineoplastic mechanism of Octreotide action in human hepatoma

Objectives To investigate whether apoptosis can be induced by Octreotide in human hepatoma cells in vitro and elucidate the antineoplastic mechanism o f Octreotide in hepatoma. Methods A cultured human hepatoma cell line, BEL-7402, was exposed to Octre otide and apoptosis was evaluated by cytochemical staining ( Hochesst 33 25 8), transmission electron microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM). Results After exposure to 0.2 mug/ml Octreotide, apoptosis with nuclear chr omatin condensation as well as fragmentation, cell shrinkage and the format ion of apoptotic bodies was observed using cytochemical staining and transm ission electron microscopy. A DNA ladder in agarose gel electrophoresis was also displayed. FCM showed that the apoptotic cell number rose with an inc rease in the concentration of Octreoticle (0-2 mug/ml). There was a positiv e correlation between Octreotide concentration and apoptotic rate in BEL-74 02 cells ( r = 0.809, P < 0.05). Conclusion Apoptosis in human hepatoma cells can be induced by Octreotide, which may be related to the mechanism of antineoplastic action of Octreotid e in hepatoma.