Abstract
Radiation therapy is an important treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, how to promote radiation sensitivity in HNSCC remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of fenofibrate on HNSCC and explore the underlying mechanisms. HNSCC cell lines CNE-2 and KB were subjected to ionizing radiation (IR), in the presence or absence of fenofibrate treatment. Cell growth and survival, apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated. In addition, CNE-2 cells were xenografted into nude mice and subjected to IR and/ or fenofibrate treatment. The expression of cyclinB and CDK1 was detected by Western blotting. Our results showed that fenofibrate efficiently radiosensitized HNSCC cells and xenografts in mice, and induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest via reducing the activity of the CDK1/cyclinB1 kinase complex. These data suggest that fenofibrate could be a promising radiosensitizer for HNSCC radiotherapy.
Highlights
Head and neck cancers include malignancies of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, paranasal sinuses and salivary glands
We demonstrated that incubating fenofibrate decrease head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner
Our study has provided evidence that fenofibrate enhanced the radiosensitivity of HNSCC cells via inducing G2/M arrest
Summary
Head and neck cancers include malignancies of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, paranasal sinuses and salivary glands. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type of head and neck cancer, accounting for 90% of all head and neck malignancies. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide (Parkin et al, 2005). Despite the predominating primary therapy of radiation (RT), chemoradiation (CRT) or surgery, a 5-year survival rate is not obviously improved as a result of local recurrence and metastases (Ragin et al, 2007; Li et al, 2013). Ionizing radiation is one of the most effective approaches for local control. Current standard chemoradiation strategies have reached the upper limits of toxicity with complications and side effects, preventing successful treatment. The problem of how to increase tumor response to irradiation with targeted sensitizers has become a research focus in radiotherapy of HNSCC (Akervall et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2014)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
