LY294002 enhances cytotoxicity of ATO in glioma by down-regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway

Objective To explore the effect that LY294002 enhances cytotoxicity of arsenic troxide( ATO) in glioma by down-regulating the PI3K / Akt pathway. Methods U251 were treated with different concentrations of LY294002 and detected by MTT assay,cell invasion assay,apoptosis assays,and protein expression of PI3K and p-AKT were detected. Cells were treated with ATO and combination a suitable concentrations of LY294002. Results Proliferation of tumor cell was obviously suppressed by arsenic trioxide with LY294002 treatment than by either drug used alone. The combination treatment induced more apoptosis rate,while reduced the invasive capability of U251 cells. The apoptosis-associated proteins cleaved-caspase3 and Bax were more significantly up-regulated by the combined treatment than arsenic trioxideused alone. While,p-Akt and Bcl-2 which promoted the invasive capability of arsenic trioxide,were significantly decreased by LY294002. Conclusion LY294002 enhances the cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide by down-regulation of PI3K / Akt pathway.