Lanthanide elements have been documented to possess various biologic effects, and their compounds have been studied intensely for their anti-cancer potential. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the present study, we propose that the levels of proliferation and apoptosis related microRNAs (miRNAs), let-7a and miR-34a, which mediate the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells, can be affected by the lanthanum ion. Our data showed that LaCl3 inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells both in vivo and in vitro by regulating let-7a, miR-34a and their downstream genes. This study provides novel evidence demonstrating that the anticancer mechanism of lanthanum chloride is partially attributed to miRNAs regulation and establishes an experimental basis for the clinical application of lanthanum chloride as an anti-cancer drug.

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