Figure 7.

Illustration describing the role of HPV E6/E7 oncogenes and HPV E6/E7 siRNA with cisplatin (CDDP) plus paclitaxel (PTX) therapy on HPV-infected cervical cancer cell fates. HPV-E6 and E7 bind to TP53 and RB (tumor suppressors proteins) and degrade the protein, respectively, leading to repression of p21 (p21^WAF1/Cip1) and facilitating free E2Fs through the activation of cyclin/CDK complexes. As a result of triple combination therapy, inactivation of TP53 and RB/E2F pathway is prevented, and TP53, p21, and hypophosphorylated RB (pRB) protein level increases. Overall, high level of TP53 results in cell cycle arrest and cell proliferation inhibition. Arrows indicate a positive effect, while flat lines indicate inhibition.