OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects on chemotherapeutic sensitization of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 in diffuse large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines ly1, ly8, ly10.

METHODSThe three cell lines were treated with LY294002, or doxorubicin alone or combined or sequentially respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the level of phospho-AKT after the treatment. Flow cytometry combined with annexin V-FITC assay and Brdu incorporation assay were used to analyze the alterations of cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis, respectively.

RESULTSLY294002 decreased the level of phospha-AKT efficiently in the three DLBCL cell lines. The ratio of S phase cells was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Sequential use of LY294002 and doxorubicin increased the ratio of apoptosis and there was significant difference between the sequential group and the other four groups (P < 0.05) at 24, 48, 72(ly1), 48, 72 (ly8) or 24 h (ly10).

CONCLUSIONLY294002 can sensitize doxorubicin-induced apoptosis and may be a potential molecular therapeutic agent targeted at AKT signaling pathway in DLBCL.