Eicher C, Dewerth A, Thomale J, Ellerkamp V, Hildenbrand S, Warmann SW, Fuchs J, Armeanu-Ebinger S. Effect of sorafenib combined with cytostatic agents on hepatoblastoma cell lines and xenografts.
Br J Cancer 2012;
108:334-41. [PMID:
23257893 PMCID:
PMC3566826 DOI:
10.1038/bjc.2012.539]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Sorafenib has recently been shown to reduce tumour growth in hepatoblastoma (HB) xenografts. The effect of a combined administration with cytostatic agents was now investigated.
METHODS
Cell viability after treatment with sorafenib and different cytostatic agents was evaluated in two HB cell lines (HUH6 and HepT1) using MTT assay. ERK signalling was investigated by western blot, NOXA expression by rt-PCR, and formation of DNA adducts using immunocytology. NMRI mice bearing subcutaneous HUH6-derived tumours were treated with sorafenib alone or in combination with cisplatin. Tumour progression, viability, apoptosis, and vascularisation were monitored by tumour volume, AFP levels, TUNEL assay, and CD31 immunostaining, respectively.
RESULTS
The combination of sorafenib and cisplatin led to a remarkable decrease in cell viability. The cisplatin-induced enhanced ERK1/2 activation, but not NOXA expression and the formation of DNA adducts was partly abrogated by sorafenib. In HB xenografts, both, sorafenib and alternated application of sorafenib and cisplatin significantly reduced tumour growth (P<0.05). Levels of AFP were lower in both treated groups (P=0.08). Relative apoptotic areas were increased (P=0.003). Mean vascular density was the lowest in the sorafenib/CDDP group (P=0.02).
CONCLUSION
The combination of sorafenib with cisplatin might be a promising treatment option for high risk or recurrent HB.
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