Inhibition of autophagy sensitizes MDR-phenotype ovarian cancer SKVCR cells to chemotherapy.

UNLABELLED: AUTOPHAGY: is an intracellular lysosomal degradation pathway where its primary function is to allow cells to survive under stressful conditions. Autophagy is, however, a double-edge sword that can either promote cell survival or cell death. CHEMORESISTANCE: is a major challenge in the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer, of which the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore the role of autophagy in vincristine (VCR) resistant ovarian cancer cells.

METHODS: The SKOV3 parental cell line and SKVCR, the VCR-resistant ovarian carcinoma cells were used. 3-MA (3-Methyladenine) and CQ (Chloroquine) were also used as autophagy inhibitors. CCK8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) was used to detect cell viability, quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of mRNA and protein, MDC staining and flow cytometry were used to detect autophagy and apoptosis, respectively.

RESULTS: Compared with parental SKOV3 cells, SKVCR cells showed Multidrug Resistance (MDR). SKVCR cells demonstrated higher autophagy levels than SKOV3 cells, which could be inhibited by 3-MA and CQ. In SKVCR cells, VCR increased apoptosis levels further, 3-MA and CQ inhibited autophagy and potentiated the cytotoxicity by VCR. Moreover, 3-MA and CQ overcame the acquired VCR resistance in SKVCR cells by enhancing VCR-induced cytotoxicity, and promote apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that autophagy has a protective role in the multi-drug resistant SKVCR cells. The inhibition of autophagy increases the killing effects of VCR by increasing apoptosis and inhibiting autophagy, suggesting a better strategy for the treatment of drug-resistant SKVCR cells.