RSF-1 overexpression determines cancer progression and drug resistance in cervical cancer

Background: Remodeling spacing factor 1 (RSF-1/HBXAP) has been linked to a variety of cancer types, however, its roles and the therapeutic potential are not clear in cervical cancer. Methods: RSF-1 expression in cancer tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining followed by statistical analysis with SPSS. Anti-RSF-1 studies were performed by treating cells with specific siRNA or a dominant mutant form (RSF-D4). Results: RSF-1 expression correlates with cancer progression that strongly-positive staining can be found in 67.7% carcinomas and 66.7% CIN lesions, but none in normal tissues. Such overexpression also associated with increased tumor size, poor differentiation, higher nodal metastasis and advanced clinical stages. Kaplan– Meier analysis confirmed that cancer patients with high RSF-1 levels exhibited a significantly shorter survival time than those with low RSF-1 levels. Downregulation of RSF-1 by siRNA silencing or RSF-D4 reduced cell growth and increased drug sensitivity toward paclitaxel treatment in HeLa cells. Conclusions: RSF-1 participates in the tumor progression of cervical cancer and could be considered as an early prognostic marker for cancer development and clinical outcome. Therapies based on anti-RSF-1 activity may be beneficial for patients with RSF-1 overexpression in their tumors.