Bortezomib enhances the radiosensitivity of hypoxic cervical cancer cells by inhibiting HIF-1α expression.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitivity of bortezomib to cervical cancer and the possible underlying mechanism.

Methods: HeLa and SiHa cell lines with or without hypoxia treatment were divided into control, radiation alone, bortezomib alone, and radiotherapy plus bortezomib groups. CCK8 assay, clone formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence test were used to measure cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and DNA double-strand break (DSB). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of HIF-1α, PARP-1, and caspase-3, -8, and -9.

Result: Statistical analysis of data revealed that bortezomib at nanomolar level exerted a radiosensitization effect on both cervical cancer cell lines in normoxia or hypoxia. Western blot analysis showed that the drug could inhibit hypoxia-related HIF-1α expression to increase apoptosis-related caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation and DNA DSB-related PARP-1 cleavage.

Conclusions: Radiotherapy sensitization of bortezomib on cervical cancer cell lines had a drug-dose relation, and sensitization in hypoxia was more remarkable than in normoxia. Bortezomib may be a potential radiotherapy sensitization drug for cervical cancer.