TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol sensitizes cervical cancer to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis

Aberrant activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) allows cancer cells to escape chemotherapy-induced cell death and acts as one of the major mechanisms of acquired chemoresistance in cervical cancer. TAK1, a crucial mediator that upregulates NF-κB activation in response to cellular genotoxic stress, is required for tumor cell viability and survival. Herein, we examined whether TAK1 inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating cervical cancer. We found that TAK1 inhibitor 5Z-7-oxozeaenol significantly augmented the cytotoxic effects of Dox in a panel of cervical cancer cell lines. Treatment with 5Z-7-oxozeaenol hindered Dox-induced NF-κB activation and promoted Dox-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Moreover, 5Z-7-oxozeaenol showed similar effects in both positive and negative human papillomavirus-infected cervical cancer cells. Taken together, our results provide evidence that TAK1 inhibition significantly sensitizes cervical cancer cells to chemotherapy-induced cell death and supports the use of TAK1 inhibitor with current chemotherapies in the clinic for patients with refractory cervical cancer.