Increased expression of TRX is critical for maintenance of the phenotypes and metastasis of tumours, as well as for promoting cell proliferation.37 TRX also participates in tumour development and metastasis via promotion of cell growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of angiogenesis.38 In this study, we detected the expression of SOD1 and TRX in glioma cells and found that bortezomib treatment significantly decreased the expression of these two enzymes, inducing the oxidative stress process in glioma cells, leading to apoptosis of cells, and thus mediating an anti‐tumour effect. This evidence concerns the gene TXN and central nervous system cancer.