Sphingolipid-Based Synergistic Interactions to Enhance Chemosensitivity in Lung Cancer Cells.

Tumor heterogeneity leads to drug resistance in cancer treatment with the crucial role of sphingolipids in cell fate and stress signaling. We analyzed sphingolipid metabolism and autophagic flux to study chemotherapeutic interactions on the A549 lung cancer model. Loaded cells with fluorescent sphingomyelin analog (BODIPY) and mCherry-EGFP-LC3B were used to track autophagic flux and assess cytotoxicity when cells are exposed to chemotherapy (epirubicin, cisplatin, and paclitaxel) together with sphingolipid pathway inhibitors and autophagy modulators.