Objective:To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of combined paclitaxe and tumor necrosis factor-related poptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) on apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell in vitro.Methods:SGC7901 cells were cultured with paclitaxe at different concentrations(1

5

10

20

40μg/ml) and different time(12

24

36

48h).Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to measure the anticancer activity of paclitaxe.The ability of TRAIL alone

paclitaxe alone and TRAIL in combination with paclitaxe to induce apoptosis was measured by a flow cytometer.Expression of DR4

DR5 mRNA was examined by RT-PCR.Results:The apoptosis rate of control group(C group)

paclitaxe group(P group)

TRAIL group(T group) and combination group(T+P)in 24h were 2.09%

10.65%

7.79% and 24.51% respectively.T+P group was significantly higher than that in C group

T group and P group(P<0.05).Before exposure to paclitaxe

expression of DR5 mRNA was low and an increased expression of DR5 was found in SGC7901 cells after treatment with Paclitaxe.Conclusion:Paclitaxe can enhance the effect of TRAIL in anticancer therapy and its mechanisms might be involved in the up-regulation of DR5 gene.