Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: H011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H011
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, H011 (2025)
Evaluation of the anticancer effects of cisplatin and ex527 in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Marzena Baran1*
1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: marzenabaran@umlub.pl
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy often characterized by aggressive growth and resistance to standard therapies. Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for HNSCC, exerts its effects by inducing DNA damage in cancer cells. However, resistance to cisplatin limits its therapeutic efficacy. The sirtuin inhibitor EX527, targeting SIRT1, has the potential to enhance the effects of cisplatin by influencing epigenetic regulation and DNA repair mechanisms in cancer cells. The objective of this study is to investigate the synergistic effects of cisplatin and EX527 on HNSCC tumor growth in vitro. Patient-derived HNSCC cells will be cultured in vitro and divided into four groups: Control (untreated), Cisplatin-treated, EX527-treated, Combination treatment with cisplatin and EX527. After 48 hours of treatment, the following analyses will be performed: Cell viability assay: Using the MTT assay to assess the effect of treatments on cell proliferation. Apoptosis analysis: Employing flow cytometry to evaluate apoptosis levels. Cell cycle progression assessment: Using flow cytometry and staining with propidium iodide (PI) in combination with RNase to determine cell cycle distribution. In vitro imaging: Staining with Vybrant DiD to monitor morphological changes in the cells. It is anticipated that combination therapy with cisplatin and EX527 will exhibit stronger anticancer effects than either agent alone. The inhibition of DNA repair by EX527 may sensitize HNSCC cells to cisplatin, leading to: Increased apoptosis, Reduced cell proliferation, Cell cycle arrest, Alterations in cell morphology indicative of enhanced cytotoxicity. The findings from this study will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the potential synergy between cisplatin and EX527. Understanding these interactions may help in developing new therapeutic strategies to overcome cisplatin resistance in HNSCC. The combination of cisplatin and EX527 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HNSCC. Targeting epigenetic regulatory mechanisms with EX527 could enhance the efficacy of cisplatin by disrupting DNA repair processes and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Future studies will focus on validating these findings in vivo and exploring potential clinical applications.
Keywords: HNSCC, cisplatin, EX527, sirtuins, combination therapy, epigenetics
How to cite
M. Baran, 2025. Evaluation of the anticancer effects of cisplatin and ex527 in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.H011