Figure 7.

Proposed model explaining the mechanism of chemosensitization of cancer stem cells (CSC) by RESveratrol (RES) involves inhibition of RAD51. We propose that VP16-resistant CSC induced cell death (a) (as found in this work for HeLa SPhere cultures). However, when CSC are treated with siRAD51, as shown in (b), they become sensitive to VP16. Interestingly, when CSC are treated with RES, as indicated in (c), this polyphenol reduces RAD51 protein expression and induces cell death. This effect is increased in combination with VP16.