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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Animals, Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic, Apoptosis, Cytoprotection, Deoxycytidine, Drug Synergism, Female, Heme Oxygenase-1, Humans, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Protoporphyrins, Radiation Tolerance, Urinary Bladder Neoplasms, Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays.
user
Does inhibition of heme oxygenase-1 enhance the cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine in urothelial cancer cells? Context: Elevated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is associated with resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy through anti-apoptotic function. The present study evaluated whether the HO-1 inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), enhances the cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine in urothelial carcinoma (UC). The in vitro cytotoxic effect of combination treatment of gemcitabine and ZnPP on UC cells was examined. The in vivo growth inhibitory effects of intraperitoneal administration of gemcitabine and/or ZnPP on mouse subcutaneous tumours were examined. The apoptotic changes were analysed with the detection of DNA fragmentation and cleaved caspase-3. HO-1 was up-regulated by both gemcitabine and irradiation treatment in vitro. ZnPP sensitised the UC cells to both therapies. Enhanced apoptosis was induced by the ZnPP combined with gemicitabine. ZnPP enhanced the antitumour effect of gemcitabine in vivo along with decreased numbers of proliferating cells and increased numbers of apoptotic cells.
assistant
These findings suggest that ZnPP combined with gemcitabine or irradiation therapy may be an effective therapeutic modality for UC patients. Final Decision: yes