Paclitaxel Promotes Oxidative Stress-Mediated Human Laryngeal Squamous Tumor Cell Death through the Stimulation of Calcium and Zinc Signaling Pathways: No Synergic Action of Melatonin

The paclitaxel (PAX) and melatonin (MLT)-mediated mitochondria reactive free oxygen radical (miROS) generations via the influx of excessive Ca2+ and Zn2+ induce tumor cell death and apoptosis. However, a presence of resistance was demonstrated against the PAX treatment in the tumor cells. The stimulation of TRPM2 may increase the anticancer action of PAX after the treatment of MLT. We investigated the stimulating role of PAX with/without MLT on the excessive Ca2+ influx and miROS generation-mediated human laryngeal squamous cancer (Hep2) cell death through the stimulation of TRPM2. The Hep2 cells were divided into four groups as control, MLT (1 mM for 2 h), PAX (50 mu M for 24 h), and PAX + MLT. In some experiments, we induced additional subgroups such as PAX+ACA and PAX+2APB. The stimulation of TRPM2 induced the increase of TRPM2 current densities, lipid peroxidation, cytosolic ROS, miROS, cytosolic Ca2+, and Zn2+ values in the Hep2 cells after the treatment of PAX, although their values were decreased by the treatment of MLT and TRPM2 antagonists (ACA and 2APB). In addition, the PAX induced apoptosis and cell death via upregulation of caspases and downregulation of antioxidant glutathione peroxidase and glutathione in the cells. The treatment of PAX increased protein band expression values of TRPM2, PARP-1, and caspase 3 and 9 in the Hep2. The increased expression, apoptotic, and cell death values were not affected by the treatment of MLT. In conclusion, PAX induced the increase of Hep2 cell death via upregulations of TRPM2 and Zn2+, although its downregulation via the treatment of MLT did not change the antitumor action of PAX.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effects of paclitaxel (PAX) and melatonin (MLT) on human laryngeal squamous cancer cells (Hep2) and the underlying mechanisms. The results show that PAX and MLT can induce cell death and apoptosis in Hep2 cells by affecting intracellular Ca2+ and Zn2+ levels. Furthermore, MLT treatment enhances the anticancer effects of PAX and reduces resistance to PAX. The findings also suggest that TRPM2 plays a critical role in this process.