Synergistic anti-tumor effect of paclitaxel and miR-34a combined with ultrasound microbubbles on cervical cancer in vivo and in vitro

Purpose Improved therapeutic options for cervical cancer are needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the synergetic, inhibitory effects of ultrasound-mediated paclitaxel (PTX)- and miR- 34a-loaded microbubbles (MBs) on cervical cancer. Methods U14 cervical cancer cells and xenograft mouse tumors were treated with PTX-miR-34a-MBs. Results Levels of miR-34a increased in vitro and vivo after treatment with ultrasound-mediated PTX-miR-34a-MBs. Furthermore, this treatment decreased the proliferation of cervical cancer cells, microvessel density, and the expression of Bcl-2 and CDK6, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Bax expression was increased in the in vivo model. And, tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced by 78.57% and 87.97%, respectively (P < 0.01). Conclusions These results indicate that ultrasound-mediated PTX-miR-34a-MBs synergistically inhibit the growth of cervical cancer via the upregulation of miR-34a and downregulation of Bcl-2 and CDK6. Thus, PTX-miR-34a-MBs in combination with ultrasound microbubbles are a promising anticancer delivery strategy for treating cervical cancer.