Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitor Sildenafil Inhibits HPV + Cervical Cancer Cells and Cervical Cancer Stem Cells by Apoptotic Induction and Telomerase Activity Modulation
Cervical cancer mortality has since long been associated with HPV positivity. However, emerging evidence points to the significant role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in tumorigenesis, metastasis, relapse, and chemoresistance. This necessitates targeting strategies not only against HPV The expression of phosphodiesterase isoforms in HPV cGMP-dependent PDE5 was identified as a cervical cancer-enhanced isoform that is modulated effectively by sildenafil. Sildenafil increased cGMP levels, induced cytotoxicity in HPV The PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil might be repurposed to be a possible therapeutic option for treating cervical cancer. Its efficacy extends to both HPV-positivity and CSCs, addressing a significant portion of cervical cancer cases.