Figure 3 | Cell Death & Disease

Figure 3

From: Low levels of Caspase-3 predict favourable response to 5FU-based chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer: Caspase-3 inhibition as a therapeutic approach

Figure 3

Caspase-3 is activated and apoptosis is induced following CT, and COX-2 inhibitors do not affect this process. (a) Fresh patient colon tumour tissue (N=19 patients) was treated with 5FU-based CT alone and in combination with specific Caspase-3 inhibitor (DNLD) and COX-2 inhibitors (Aspirin and Celecoxib). Tissue was sectioned and stained for ProCaspase-3 and active Caspase-3 (a) and scored based on extent and intensity of staining (scale bar=100 μm). (b and c) Levels of ProCaspase-3 (b) and active Caspase-3 (c) were quantified. ProCaspase-3 levels were unaffected by treatment regimes, while active Caspase-3 was significantly reduced (5FU/Oxali versus 5FU/Oxali+DNLD, P=0.021) by specific Caspase-3 inhibition alongside 5FU-based CT but unaffected by other treatments. (d) Using a TUNEL-based assay, levels of apoptosis were examined. Chemotherapy-induced apoptosis (Untreated versus 5FU/Oxali, P=0.00013), which was reduced with Caspase-3 inhibition (5FU/Oxali versus 5FU/Oxali+DNLD, P=0.001). COX-2 inhibition did not reduce apoptosis induction. *Denotes statistically significant difference, P-values⩽0.05.

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