Radiosensitization of cervical cancer cells via double-strand DNA break repair inhibition

Abstract Purpose. LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, has been found to radiosensitize various human cancer cells. However, its potential to act as an effective therapeutic agent is diminished by its toxicity levels. The purposes of this study were to determine the mechanism by which LY294002 radiosensitizes. Materials and methods. Cell growth curves and clonogenic assays were performed with increasing LY294002 exposure times proximate to the radiation dose. Protein levels of downstream PI3K effectors were analyzed. Detection of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γH2AX) was used to identify DNA double-strand breaks at various time points post-radiation. Results. LY294002 significantly radiosensitized HeLa cervical cancer cells when administered for just 12 h following radiation. Cell growth curves also decreased with brief LY294002 application. DNA double-strand breaks are typically repaired within 2–6 h following radiation. Interestingly, at 48, 72, and 96 h post-irradiation, γH2AX was still significantly elevated in cells radiated in combination with LY294002. Protein expressions of ATM and ATR downstream effectors showed no differences among the treated groups, however, DNA-PK activity was significantly inhibited by LY294002. Conclusions. These results lead us to conclude that the central mechanism by which LY294002 radiosensitizes is via DNA-PK inhibition which induces DNA double-strand break repair inhibition. We are currently investigating radiosensitization induced by DNA-PK-specific inhibition in efforts to find a less toxic, yet equally effective, chemotherapeutic agent than LY294002.