In vitro studies of H520 cell cycle and apoptosis by anlotinib combined with radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: To study in vitro the effects of anlotinib combined with radiotherapy on the lung cancer H520 cell cycle and apoptosis. METHODS: The log growth period H520 cells were divided into the control group, anlotinib group (A group), radiotherapy group (RT group) and combined group (A + RT group). Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry and changes in H520 cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed in each group. RESULTS: Anlotinib was determined to significantly inhibit cell growth in all groups, both alone, or in combination with radiotherapy. After receiving corresponding treatments, the proportions of G2/M‐phase cells in the control group, A group, RT group and A + RT group were different, and statistically significant (F = 32.086, P < 0.001). The apoptotic cell statistics of H520 cells in the control group, A group, RT group and A + RT group were significantly different (F = 44.537, P < 0.01). The relative expression of CDK1 in each group of cells was 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.07 ± 0.12, 0.81 ± 0.11, and 0.56 ± 0.16, respectively. There were differences between the groups by analysis of variance which were statistically significant (F = 58.36, P < 0.0001). The relative expression of cycle B in each group of cells was 0.27 ± 0.05, 0.40 ± 0.16, 0.65 ± 0.14, and 0.57 ± 0.13, respectively. There were differences between the groups by analysis of variance which were statistically significant (F = 10.77, P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Anlotinib had an inhibitory effect on lung cancer H520 cell proliferation. A higher rate of apoptosis and G2/M phase block was observed in the anlotinib‐radiotherapy combined group. Anlotinib combined with radiotherapy was able to synergistically inhibit tumor cell growth. KEY POINTS: Anrotinib combined with radiotherapy can synergistically inhibit tumor cell growth.