Valproic acid suppresses cervical cancer tumor progression possibly via activating Notch1 signaling and enhances receptor-targeted cancer chemotherapeutic via activating somatostatin receptor type II.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of the anti-epilepsy drug valproic acid (VPA) alone and in combination in treating cervical cancer.

Methods: VPA was investigated for its effects on cervical cancer Hela cell proliferation and tumor growth via in vitro and in vivo assays.

Results: VPA induce cell growth suppression and cell cycle arrest, with an increase of Notch1 that acts as a tumor suppressor and the change of other tumor-associated genes such as p21, p63 and PCNA.