5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy inducing ferroptosis by regulating PRNP expression in cervical cancer and exerting antitumor effects

Cervical cancer is one of the most common femal cancers. 5-ALA PDT is proven to be effective for the treatment of precancerous lesions. However, its role in cervical cancer treatment is poorly studied. Thus we aim to evaluate the effects of 5-ALA PDT on cervical cancer and its mechanism. 5-ALA-derived PpIX accumulation in cervical cancer cell was mesured by flow cytometry. 24h after 5-ALA PDT, cytotoxicity assay was conducted, the cell death modalities were explored, and the different expresed genes was measured. PpIX accumulation was depended on 5-ALA conentration. After 5-ALA PDT, cytotoxicity assay revealed the IC50 was 250uM-8 J/cm2. Apoptosis was a main cell death modality.The occurance of ferroptosis also existed. A ferroptosis-related gene PRNP was inhibited. When we silenced PRNP, after 5-ALA PDT, the survival rate of sh-PRNP cells was significantly lowered. 5-ALA PDT may induce ferroptosis by regulating PRNP expression in cervical cancer and exert antitumor effects.