Tanshinone sensitized the antitumor effects of irradiation on laryngeal cancer via JNK pathway.

Laryngeal cancer is a common cancer occurred in the head and neck. Irradiation sensitivity is a problem affecting the treatment of laryngeal cancer. Tanshinone IIA has been reported to play an important role in treating multiple diseases; yet, whether Tanshinone IIA can be an irradiation sensitizer has not been reported. Clonogenic assay, annexin-V/propidium iodide double-staining assay, and Cell Counting Kit-8 assay were performed to detect cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, and viability. Mouse laryngeal cancer xenograft model was established and subjected to tumor size analysis. Tanshinone IIA treatment increased the irradiation sensitivity of laryngeal cancer cells by reducing cell survival, viability and proliferation, and increasing cell apoptosis. Tanshinone IIA treatment increased the survival period of mice in the in vivo laryngeal cancer model, evidenced by decreased growth and weight of tumors, which was possibly mediated through the JNK pathway. Tanshinone IIA increases the sensitivity to irradiation in laryngeal cancer cells and in vivo laryngeal cancer model, suggesting that Tanshinone IIA can be a therapeutic antitumor agent for treating laryngeal cancer.