Abstract:Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of Celecoxib (Cele) and Pemetrexed (Pem) on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell line and possible mechanism. Methods A549 cells were treated with different concentrations of Celecoxib) or Pemetrexed for 48 h. Half concentration (IC50) was determined. A549 cells were treated with Celecoxib or Pemetrexed for 24?h, 36?h and 48?h to determine optimal concentration to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Further cancer cells were treated with Celecoxib or Pemetrexed under optimal concentration and time of duration. Cell proliferation were identified by CCK-8 assay. Cell apoptosis and cycle distribution were determined by Flow Cytometry. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of AKT and p-AKT protein. Kim's method was applied for determination of crosstalk between the two drugs. Results Compared with the control group, proliferation of A549 cells was inhibited by Celecoxib or Pemetrexed in a concentration-dependent manner (P?0.05). IC50 of Celecoxib and Pemetrexed was 30.51?μmol/L and 30.51?μmol/L, respectively. Compared with the control group, Celecoxib and Pemetrexed showed inhibition of cellular proliferation of A549 cells in time-dependent manner (P?0.05), and the optimal intervention time was 48?h. Celecoxib and Pemetrexed could synergistically inhibited proliferation of A549 cells. Compared with the other groups, Apoptotic rate and G0/G1 phase cell ratio were increased while the p-AKT was down-regulated significantly in treatment of Celecoxib and Pemetrexed when compared with those in control group, Cele group or Pem group (P?0.05). Conclusions Celecoxib combined with Pemetrexed inhibits the proliferation while promotes the apoptosis of A549 cells, which may be related to the induction of cell G0/G1 phase arrest and inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.