Suppression of Nrf2 confers chemosensitizing effect through enhanced oxidant-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Aims: Transcription factor Nrf2, which regulates the expression of cytoprotective and antioxidant enzymes, contributes to proliferation and resistance to chemotherapy in cancer. The inhibition of Nrf2 can sensitize cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells to the cytotoxicity of several chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of this chemosensitizing effect.