Effect of combination of curcumin and GLUT‐1 AS‐ODN on radiosensitivity of laryngeal carcinoma through regulating autophagy

Background This study is to explore the role of curcumin and GLUT‐1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS‐ODN) on autophagy modulation‐initiated radiosensitivity. Methods BALB/c mice were employed to establish xenograft model using Tu212 cell. The expression of autophagy‐ and apoptosis‐related proteins was determined by WB. Autophagosome was observed under transmission electron microscope. Apoptosis of tumor tissue were detected by TUNEL staining. Results Combinations of curcumin and GLUT‐1 AS‐ODN with 10 Gy inhibited the tumor growth by inducing apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells followed with the enhancement of autophagy. 3‐MA also had a promotion effect on irradiation‐mediated growth inhibition possibly by depressing PI3K and on curcumin/GLUT‐1 AS‐ODN‐mediated growth inhibition potentially by regulating autophagic events. Of note, a de‐escalation of radiotherapy dose (5 Gy) along with curcumin, GLUT‐1 AS‐ODN or 3‐MA produced a stronger effect than high dosage of radiotherapy (10 Gy) alone. Conclusions Curcumin and GLUT‐1 AS‐ODN improve the radiosensitivity of laryngeal carcinoma through regulating autophagy and inducing apoptosis.