Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Published on: January 18, 2017
Quercetin-Fe nanodots inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation by targeting PCNA
Youwei Zhou1, Sheng Cheng2, Lei Shu2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218, Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022 China.
Objective:
The targets and active components that affect the prognosis of cervical cancer remain unclear.
Methods:
Three microarray datasets were collected for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening. The pathway, function, protein interaction and prognosis were analysed. The active components, related targets, the active ingredient-target gene network were conducted. The protein expression of the hub gene was validated through immunohistochemistry and Nanodrugs Que-Fe NDs were prepared and validated by in vitro cellular functionalization experiment.
Results:
162 upregulated and 145 downregulated DEGs were screened out, including 10 hub genes, which were mainly clustered in DNA replication, cell division, proliferation, and cycle. The results of active ingredient-target gene network showed that the traditional Chinese medicine quercetin has the potential therapeutic effect on cervical cancer via targeting PCNA. Experiments focused on cellular functionalization demonstrated that the synthesized Que-Fe nanodots (NDs) were capable of decreasing the levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and suppressing the in vitro proliferation of HeLa cells.
Conclusion:
The growth of cervical cancer HeLa cells was suppressed in vitro by Que-Fe NDs. This finding indicates a promising novel therapeutic target that warrants additional investigation.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12645-025-00353-y.
Insights
Quercetin, a traditional Chinese medicine, shows therapeutic potential for cervical cancer by targeting PCNA. Synthesized nanodrugs (Que-Fe NDs) effectively suppressed HeLa cell proliferation in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cervical cancer prognosis is influenced by unclear targets and active components.
- Identifying novel therapeutic strategies is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key genes and active compounds affecting cervical cancer prognosis.
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of quercetin and its nanodrug formulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of microarray datasets to screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
- Construction of active ingredient-target gene networks.
- Validation of hub gene protein expression and in vitro evaluation of nanodrugs.
Main Results:
- 162 upregulated and 145 downregulated DEGs were identified, with 10 hub genes involved in cell cycle and proliferation.
- Quercetin was identified as a potential therapeutic agent targeting PCNA.
- Que-Fe nanodots (NDs) reduced PCNA expression and suppressed HeLa cell proliferation in vitro.
Conclusions:
- Que-Fe NDs demonstrated in vitro efficacy in suppressing cervical cancer HeLa cell growth.
- PCNA emerges as a promising therapeutic target for cervical cancer, warranting further research.
