Synergistic interaction between highly specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, MF-tricyclic and lovastatin in murine colorectal cancer cell lines

Statins, anti-hypercholesterolemic agents, have previously been reported to induce apoptosis and exert antitumor activity when combined with other antitumor agents. The potential of lovastatin in combination with highly specific COX-2 inhibitor (MF-tricyclic) to induce antiproliferative activity against tumour cells was evaluated using the combination index (CI) method. Murine colorectal cancer (colon-26, CMT-93), melanoma (B16F10) and human bladder carcinoma cells (T24) were tested. Exposure of colon-26 and CMT-93 cells resulted in synergistic interactions in both cell lines with CI<1 for 20-80% inhibition of cell growth in both cell lines. This synergy was not observed in the B16F10 melanoma and T24 bladder carcinoma cells. MF-tricyclic (40 μg/ml), augmented lovastatin-induced apoptosis up to 2.5-fold in colon-26 cancer cells. Combination of a specific COX-2 inhibitor, MF-tricyclic, may increase antiproliferative effects of lovastatin in colon cancer cells and this effect was due to an augmented apoptosis.