CDCA5 knockdown potentiates olaparib sensitivity in BRCA1-mutated ovarian cancer through autophagy activation

  • Discov Oncol. 2025 Sep 30;16(1):1789. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-03610-z.
Wenzong Wu  #  1 ,  Huan Wu  #  2 ,  Yuqing Song  #  3 ,  LiuJun Wu  4 ,  Jiajia Chen  1 ,  Minsheng Zhu  1 ,  Xinchun Wu  3 ,  Jiawei Wang  5 ,  Qingsong Zhang  6
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui, China.
  • 2. School of Mental Health, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui, China.
  • 3. School of Medical Imaging, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui, China.
  • 4. Yongjia County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenzhou, 325100, Zhejiang, China.
  • 5. Department of Oncology and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui, China.
  • 6. Department of Oncology and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, No. 287 Changhuai Road, Bengbu, 233000, Anhui, China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 41026320 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-025-03610-z
Abstract

Background: BRCA1-mutated ovarian Cancer poses substantial therapeutic hurdles due to its poor prognosis and resistance to traditional therapies. Although acquired resistance is still a significant obstacle, PARP inhibitors, e.g., olaparib, have demonstrated promise in prolonging progression-free survival (PFS) in these individuals. The therapeutic potential of CDCA5 silencing in conjunction with olaparib to improve treatment effectiveness for ovarian Cancer with a BRCA1 mutation is examined in this study.

Methods: Using BRCA1-mutated ovarian Cancer cell lines (UWB1.289 and SNU251) and xenograft models, we analyzed the effects of CDCA5 knockdown alone or combined with olaparib. Functional assays (CCK-8, immunofluorescence, TEM, western blot) evaluated proliferation, Autophagy, DNA damage, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.

Results: CDCA5 knockdown inhibited proliferation, activated Autophagy, and induced DNA damage in BRCA1-mutated cells. Moreover, combination with olaparib synergistically enhanced these effects, with significant tumor growth inhibition in vivo. Mechanistically, the combination suppressed the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, promoting Autophagy and exacerbating DNA damage. Pharmacological activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR reversed these antitumor effects.

Conclusions: The Anticancer effects of olaparib are enhanced by CDCA5 knockdown, which also promotes Autophagy and exacerbates DNA damage via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. These findings provide a novel therapeutic approach for treating BRCA1-mutated ovarian Cancer that overcomes PARP Inhibitor resistance and enhances treatment results.

Keywords
ARP inhibitors; Autophagy; BRCA1-mutated ovarian cancer; CDCA5; Olaparib; PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
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