The overexpression of PXN promotes tumor progression and leads to radioresistance in cervical cancer

Aim: We aim to investigate the functions of PXN in cervical cancer. Materials & methods: PXN protein was investigated by immunohistochemistry in a panel of cervical cancer. A series of in vitro and in vivo assays were used to explore the efficacy of PXN. Results: PXN was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer, which associated with tumor stage, poor differentiation, lymphovascular space invasion and lymphatic metastasis. Knockdown of PXN notably impaired cellular growth and colony formation by suppressing Bcl-2 and inducing marked apoptosis. Moreover, PXN led to resistance to radiation, and downregulation of PXN resensitized C33A cells to radiation. Conclusion: PXN was frequently upregulated and acted as an oncogene via regulating Bcl-2 in cervical cancer, which supports PXN as a potent therapeutic target.