Copper-overload promotes ferroptosis in cervical cancer cells by upregulating HMOX1 expression.

ABSTRACT: Cuproptosis is a newly defined regulated cell death model and is considered as a potential approach for cancer treatment. We have previously found that cervical cancer cells have the capability of anti-ferroptosis. A recent study has reported that elesclomol (ES) is able to induce copper-dependent ferroptosis. However, its effect on cervical cancer cell ferroptosis is still unclear. In this study, we found that the expression levels of copper metabolism-related genes ATP7A and ATP7B were decreased in cervical cancer tissues. In cervical cancer cells, combined treatment of ES and Cu²⁺ inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell death, but did not promote cuproptosis. However, ES-Cu²⁺ treatment led to the accumulation of cellular reactive oxygen species, increased ce

SUBMITTER: Zhao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12354449 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature