OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of magnetic iron nanoparticles ( Fe₃O₄- MNP) in combination with arsenic trioxide and adriamycin on apoptosis and autophagy of Raji cells, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) cell line.

METHODSThe growth inhibition rate of Raji cells was analyzed by MTT assay, the cells apoptosis and intracellular concentration of ADM were determined by flow cytometry (FCM), the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as BCL-2, NFκB, Survivin, BAX, P53, and Caspase-3, and related to autophagy-proteins, such as LC3, Beclin-1, and P62/SQSTM1 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe growth inhibition of Raji cells in the group of ADM + As₂O₃were higher than that in the group of ADM or As₂O₃alone, however, lower than that in the group of Fe₃O₄- MNP combined with ADM and As₂O₃(ADM+As₂O₃+ MNP) (P < 0.05). The apoptotic rate and accumulation of intracellular ADM in the group of Fe₃O₄- MNP combined with ADM and As₂O₃were significantly higher than those in control, ADM, As₂O₃, and ADM plus As₂O₃groups (P < 0.05). The upregulation of BAX, P53 and Caspase-3 expression and the down regulation of BCL-2, NFκB, and Survivin expression at protein level were more remarkable in the group of ADM+As₂O₃ + MNP, compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expressions of LC3 and Beclin-1 proteins in the group of ADM+As₂O₃+ MNP were higher, while the expression of P62/SQSTM1 was lower than that in other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Fe3O4 - MNP combined with ADM and As₂O₃can increase the antitumor efficacy on Raji cells by promoting apoptosis and inducing autophagy. It would be a promising strategy for malignant lymphoma therapy.