Induction of p53-mediated senescence is essential for the eventual anticancer therapeutic effect of RH1

RH1 (2, 5-diaziridinyl-3-(hydroxymethy)-6-methyl-1, 4-benzoquinone) is a bioreductive anticancer drug. The mechanism underlying its therapeutic properties has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether RH1 exerts its anticancer effect via p53-mediated apoptosis and senescence in vitro and in vivo. RH1 displayed dose-dependent biphasic effects in vitro, i.e., it induced apoptosis at higher dose and senescence at lower...