Cell division cycle associated 8 promotes the growth and inhibits the apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells by regulating cell cycle and P53/Rb signaling pathway.

Objective: Cell division cycle associated 8 (CDCA8) is over-expressed in a variety of tumors and associated with tumor progression. Nevertheless, the role of CDCA8 in endometrial cancer (EC) is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the role and mechanism of CDCA8 in EC.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate CDCA8 expression in EC, and its relationship with clinicopathology was analyzed. CDCA8 was knocked down or over-expressed to study its effects on cell biological behaviors. Furthermore, the feasible mechanisms of CDCA8 were examined by Western blot.

Results: CDCA8 was significantly upregulated in EC tissue (P<0.05) and related to worse tumor grade, Figo stage, tumor (T) stage, and deep myometrial invasion (P<0.05). CDCA8 knockdown inhibited EC cell activities, promoted apoptosis and induced cell cycle arrest (P<0.05), which were reversed by CDCA8 over-expression (P<0.05). Besides, CDCA8 knockdown inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice (P<0.05). Furthermore, CDCA8 may affect cell cycle and P53/Rb signaling pathway in EC cells.

Conclusion: CDCA8 plays a role in the pathogenesis of EC and may be a target for EC treatment.