The effects of monensin and doxorubicin on cell survival and gene expressions in MCF-7 cell line

The aim of this study is to investigate the proliferative and anti/pro-apoptotic effects of monensin and doxorubicin alone as well as with their combination on mcf-7 breast cancer cells. mcf-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of monensin and doxorubicin for 24 hours. the expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa b (nf-kb), survivin, bcl2, mtor, and caspase 3 (casp3) genes were analyzed in treated and control groups at transcriptional level. the expression levels of nf-kb, survivin, bcl2, mtor were decreased in doxorubicin and monensin treated cells, casp3 mrna levels were similar within both groups. combination of doxorubicin and monensin decreased bcl2 mrna levels. in conclusion, doxorubicin or monensin was individually effective on inhibition of cell death. combination of these compounds caused a significant decrease in ic50 dose of doxorubicin and monensin treatment and also decreased anti-apoptotic gene bcl2 mrna levels.