Antitumor effects of all‐trans‐retinoic acid on cultured human pancreatic cancer cells

Background and Aim:  Although it is uncommon, pancreatic cancer is known to have a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to determine the inhibitory effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on cell growth, cell cycle and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1 in vitro. Methods:  Human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells were treated by various concentrations of ATRA, and then the cell growth was determined by MTT viability assay. Cell cycle distribution and ALP activity were analyzed by flow cytometry and chemical analyzer, respectively. Results:  ATRA inhibited the growth of PANC-1 cells grown in culture; a dose-dependent inhibitory influence was found. ATRA arrested PANC-1 cells at G2/M phase. The ALP activity of PANC-1 cells was significantly increased by 1–50 µmol/L ATRA. Conclusions:  The antitumor effects of ATRA on human pancreatic cancer cells are associated with G2/M phase arrest and increased ALP activity.