The effect of erastin on radiosensitivity in tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell cultures

THE EFFECT OF ERASTIN ON RADIOSENSITIVITY IN TONGUE SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA CELL CULTURES Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (SCCT) is the most common tumor found in the oral cavity. Erastin is a molecule known to activate ferroptosis, a form of iron-dependent cell death. It exerts its effects through GPX4, VDAC, and p53. Erastin is also known for its radiosensitizing effects. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combining erastin with radiotherapy in the treatment of SCCT. SCC-9 cell culture was propagated in appropriate media. The cells were divided into six groups: Control, erastin, 2 Gy radiotherapy, 6 Gy radiotherapy, erastin+2 Gy radiotherapy, and erastin+6 Gy radiotherapy. After applying treatments, cell viability was assessed 72 hours later using MTS solution, and cell viability analysis (IC50) was performed. Additionally, VDAC, GPX4, and p53 mRNA expression levels were determined. The results showed that erastin significantly reduced cell viability compared to the control group. No significant difference was observed between the 2 Gy radiotherapy and the erastin+2 Gy radiotherapy groups. However, the erastin+6 Gy radiotherapy group exhibited a significant reduction in cell viability compared to the 6 Gy radiotherapy group. There were significant differences in VDAC, GPX4, and p53 mRNA expression levels between the erastin and control groups. The study demonstrates that erastin can reduce cancer cell viability in SCCT through ferroptosis activation and enhance radiosensitivity. It also supports the notion that erastin exerts its effects via VDAC, p53, and GPX4. Erastin showed greater radiosensitizing effects with 6 Gy radiotherapy, indicating that increased radiation dose enhances the radiosensitizing effect. These findings suggest that the combination of erastin and radiotherapy could be a novel treatment approach for SCCT. Keywords: Tongue cancer, Erastin, Radiotherapy, Ferroptosis