Microarray analysis and establishment of drug screening platform using 5-fluorouracil resistance HCT116 colon cancer cells

A systemic approach was used to identify the possible mechanisms underlying the development of 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-induced resistance on HCT116 colon cancer cells. From microarray analysis, HCT116 high-dose 5FU-resistant subclones showed differential gene expression compared to HCT116-sensitive clones. According to gene ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, the up-regulated genes were related to cell death and lupus erythematosus, respectively. On the other hand, the down-regulated genes were related to cell division or DNA replication. Connectivity map (cMAP) analysis revealed that the molecular drugs, such as antiasthmatic or antiallergy agents that have negative correlations with cMAP score, may have beneficial effect for the resistant subclones. Our findings suggested that the feasibility of cMAP combining microarray gene expression profile may help identify a potential drug that possibly will reverse the effect of 5FU-induced resistance.