The effect of combined treatment with cisplatin and histone deacetylase inhibitors on HeLa cells

Exposure to cisplatin, SAHA or sirtinol alone induced a dose-dependent reduction in HeLa cell viability. Combined treatment with cisplatin and SAHA or sirtinol was significantly more cytotoxic than cisplatin alone. Individually, cisplatin, SAHA and sirtinol activated caspase-3 and induced apoptosis, but the effects of combined treatment were greater. Importantly, both HDAC inhibitors dose-dependently inhibited the expression of the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and x-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP).