Combination of SAHA and Paclitaxel Induce Apoptosis of Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells

Objective To investigate the inhibition effect of paclitaxel combined with SAHA on the proliferation of human cervical cancer HeLa cells in vitro and related mechanism.

Methods Human cervical cancer HeLa cells were treated with paclitaxel (10 nmol/L), SAHA (10 μmol/L), and paclitaxel (10 nmol/L)+SAHA (10 μmol/L) separately for 24h or 48h. The inhibitory rate of tumor cells was determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect HeLa cells apoptosis and cell cycles.

Results MTT assay showed that the proliferation inhibitory rates of the combination group after 24h or 48h treatment were significantly higher than those of paclitaxel and SAHA groups, moreover, paclitaxel and SAHA had overlapping effects (Q=0.861, Q=1.25). SAHA combined with paclitaxel could significantly increase the apoptotic rate of HeLa cells than SAHA or paclitaxel alone. HeLa cells were randomly in G₀/G₁ phase after SAHA and paclitaxel treatment for 24h, which suggested that SAHA combined with paclitaxel could significantly inhibit DNA synthesis and replication during HeLa cell mitosis.

Conclusion The combination of SAHA and paclitaxel could significantly induce cervical cancer HeLa cells apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation, block cell cycle and enhance their anti-tumor ability.