Nrf2 inhibition reverses the resistance of cisplatin-resistant head and neck cancer cells to artesunate-induced ferroptosis

Artesunate, an anti-malarial drug, has been repurposed as an anticancer drug due to its induction of cell death via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cancer cell death and the resistance of cells to artesunate remain unclear. We investigated the molecular mechanisms behind the antitumor effects of artesunate and an approach to overcome artesunate resistance in head and neck cancer (HNC). The effects of artesunate and trigonelline were tested in different HNC cell lines, including three cisplatin-resistant HNC cell lines. The effects of these drugs as well as the inhibition of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 were assessed by cell viability, cell death, glutathione…

• NR
  National Research Foundation
• MO
  Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning

  Award: HI15C2920
• MO
  Ministry of Health and Welfare
• KH
  Korea Health Industry Development Institute

  Award: HI15C2920
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: HI15C2920, 2015R1A2A1A15054540