The effect of Taxane anticancer drugs on bronchiolar ciliary activity in human airway cultured cells

Background: The emergence of novel anticancer agents has improved the prognosis of advanced lung cancer patients. However, airway infection caused by decrease of mucociliary clearance during treatment is an important factor for prognosis of lung cancer patients. We investigated the effects of the anticancer agent on the ciliary movements. Objectives: To investigate the influence of Taxane anticancer agents on the activity of airway ciliary cells: Ciliary Beat Frequency (CBF) and Ciliary Bend Amplitude (CBA) and to reveal the effect of Formoterol on bronchiolar ciliary activity by Taxane-treated cells. Methods: Airway cells were obtained from lung cancer patients by brushing bronchus during bronchoscopy. The purified progenitor cells were cultured in Air Liquid Interface (ALI) and differentiated into mature ciliated cells. After 20 minutes-exposure of docetaxel, we measured CBF and CBA using a light microscope equipped with a high-speed camera. Additionally, we investigated whether 30 minutes-treatment of formoterol activated the ciliary movement of the docetaxcel-treated cells. Results: Docetaxel significantly decreased CBF by 15.6±2.9% and CBA by 48.4±5.2%. This effect persisted for one week. And shedding of cilia, deformation, and movement abnormality were observed. Formoterol improved the CBF and CBA for one day after Formoterol exposure on the docetaxcel-treated cells. Conclusion: Short-term exposure of Taxane decreased ciliary movement, which lasted for a long duration. Formoterol improved the decrease in ciliary movement. These findings suggest that Formoterol mat be effective against airway infection during anticancer treatment.