Arsenic enhances cervical cancer cell radiosensitivity by suppressing the DNA damage repair pathway.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is a primary treatment for cervical cancer (CC) and combines chemotherapy and radiation therapy to target cancer cells effectively. However, despite its benefits, it also involves a high risk of recurrence and metastasis, partly due to the resistance of some cancer cells to the treatment. Additionally, CCRT can cause various treatment-related adverse reactions, such as gastrointestinal issues, bone marrow suppression, and skin reactions, which can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop more effective treatment strategies that can improve the outcomes of CCRT while minimizing its side effects. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO) on CC and explore its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: We conducted both Results: ATO significantly enhanced the radiosensitivity of CC cells, as evidenced by reduced colony formation Conclusions: This study demonstrates that ATO exhibits radiosensitizing effects on CC by inhibiting DNA damage repair. These findings provide theoretical and experimental support for using ATO as a radiosensitizer in CC therapy, potentially leading to improved treatment outcomes, reduced recurrence rates, and enhanced patient survival. Future research should focus on optimizing ATO's dosage and timing as well as evaluating its long-term safety and efficacy in clinical settings.