Therapeutic potential of siRNA-mediated combined knockdown of the IAP genes (Livin, XIAP, and Survivin) on human bladder cancer T24 cells

Livin, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), and Survivin are three well-known inhibitors of apoptosis almost exclusively over-expressed in cancer cells and are considered potent targets for cancer treatment. In the present study, we found that Livin, XIAP, and Survivin were simultaneously expressed in bladder cancer cells. We speculated that Livin, XIAP, and Survivin might have synergistic effects on cell growth and apoptosis. Our results confirmed that combined knockdown of all these three genes can synergistically inhibit the proliferation and transformation ability of high-grade bladder cancer T24 cells and promote the cell apoptotic sensitivity to chemotherapy. Furthermore, combined knockdown of Livin, XIAP, and Survivin can markedly increase the abundance of active caspase-3, active caspase-7, active caspase-9, and cytosolic Smac. Our findings imply that combined silencing of Livin, XIAP, and Survivin may be a potent multi-targeted gene therapy for bladder cancer.