Aprepitant Promotes Caspase-Dependent Apoptotic Cell Death and G2/M Arrest through PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Axis in Cancer Stem-Like Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Spheres

Figure 6

Aprepitant effects on the ROS levels in the ESCC cell spheres. Our results indicate that the aprepitant decreases the level of reactive oxygen (ROS) in 24 hours. The cells were treated by aprepitant (30 μM) for 24 h. ROS levels were measured by a fluorimeter. The intensity of the fluorescence has improved dramatically relative to the control group in the positive control tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP, 150 μM). At 24 hours after treatment, aprepitant significantly reduced the ROS induced by the substance P (SP). () indicates a statistically significant difference compared to controls, while the (^#) sign indicates a statistically significant change compared to other treatment groups including SP 500 nM and SP 1000 nM.