Objective   To compare the effect of 5-fluorouridine (5-FUR) prodrug liposome on the cell proliferation and apoptosis in HEP-2 cells.    Methods   MTT assay was used to investigate the cell proliferation after 5-FU or 5-FUR prodrug liposome at the dose of 3.0

0.6

0.12 or 0.024 μg/ml was added into the culture medium of HEP-2 cells for 72 h. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to measure the cell cycle when the cells were treated with 0.17 μg/ml 5-FU or 0.05 μg/ml 5-FUR prodrug liposome for 72 h. The apoptosis of cells treated

with 0.05 μg/ml 5-FU or 5-FUR for 48 h were assayed with FCM.    Results   The IC

50

of 5-FU on HEP-2 cells was 300% higher when compared with 5-FUR prodrug liposome. Treated with 5-FU and 5-FUR prodrug liposome respectively

HEP-2 cell lines were both arrested at S stage. the apoptosis rate of HEP-2 were (10.35±1.33)% and (21.57±0.11)% respectively.    Conclusion   Compared with 5-FU

5-FUR prodrug liposome inhibits the cell proliferation of HEP-2 cells more significantly

arrests more cells at S phase

and improves cell apoptosis.