Objective:To investigate the effect of triptolide combined with dexamethasone on proliferation and apoptosis of the mycosis fungoides hut-102 cells and the possible mechanisms.Methods:The viability of hut-102 cells was measured by MTT assay;the apoptotic rate of hut-102 cells was detected by flow cytometry.The expression levels of Glucocorticoid receptor(GR)and apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3 were determined by Western blot analysis.Results:①MTT assays showed that different concentrations of triptolide or dexame thasone can effectively inhibit the proliferation of hut-102 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner.When triptolide(12.5 nmol/L)was co-administered with dexamethasone

the inhibition rate increased along with the concentration of dexamethasone.And we observed positive cooperative inhibitory effects of triptolide and dexamethasone on the proliferation of hut-102 cells.②Both triptolide and dexame thasone can independently promote apoptosis of the hut-102 cell.And the apoptotic rate in the combination group was higher than single group(P<0.01).③Compared with the significantly decreased expression of Glucocorticoid receptor(GR)in hut-102 cells in dexameth asone group

the expression of GR and activated caspase-3 increased in the combination group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The apop tosis of hut-102 cells induced by dexamethasone was enhanced by triptolide

which maybe connected with the increased expression of GR and activated Caspase-3 in hut-102 cells.