AZA, but not DAC, strongly induces apoptosis in NSCLC cell lines. A549 and H1299 cells were treated with AZA or DAC (3 µM) for 72 hours, and staining for AnnexinV-FITC (x-axis) and 7-AAD (y-axis) was detected by flow cytometry. A) The percentages of early apoptotic cells and late apoptotic cells are represented in the lower right and upper right quadrants, respectively. Representative data of 4 independent experiments are shown. B) Percentage (mean ± SD; n = 4) of apoptotic (early and late) cells with AZA or DAC treatment of A549 cells. *P < 0.001 versus “vehicle”. **P = 0.328 versus “vehicle”. #P < 0.001 versus “AZA (3 µM)”. C) Percentage (mean ± SD; n = 4) of apoptotic (early and late) cells with AZA or DAC treatment of H1299 cells. *P < 0.001 versus “vehicle”. **P = 0.442 versus “vehicle”. #P < 0.001 versus “AZA (3 µM)”.
Abbreviations: AZA, azacitidine; DAC, decitabine; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer.