Arsenic trioxide overcomes apoptosis inhibition in K562/ADM cells by regulating vital components in apoptotic pathway

Extensive researches have revealed that arsenical can exert anti-tumor efficacy against several kinds of cancers including leukemia. Though, little is known about the effects of arsenical on leukemia resistant to chemotherapy, emerging as a serious clinical problem. In this study, we tested arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-induced apoptosis in K562/ADM multidrug-resistant leukemic cells and investigated its possible mechanisms. Using microscopy, flow cytometry (FCM) and DNA electrophoresis, we found that As2O3 could induce the cells to undergo G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Further, it was shown that the levels of FAS and P53 proteins increased and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) decreased upon drug action by employing FCM. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detected increased mRNA product of FAS and caspase-3 genes and reduced MDR1 mRNA. CASPASE-3 activity was also enhanced after As2O3 treatment. However, the expression of BCL-2 protein was not affected by the drug. Taken together, As2O3 is able to reverse the apoptosis resistance in drug-resistant K562/ADM cells by modulating expression or activity of key factors associated with apoptosis induction.