Apatinib modulates sorafenib-resistant hepatocellular carcinoma through inhibiting the EGFR/JNK/ERK signaling pathway
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objectives: . Methods: . Biological behavior changes were assessed through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, transwell, and immunofluorescence tests. Simultaneously, Western blot analysis was conducted to elucidate the expression of proteins associated with EMT and the EGFR/JNK/ERK signaling pathway. Results: The HepG2/Sorafenib cells exhibited greater resistance to sorafenib compared to HepG2 cells, and sorafenib-resistant HCC was characterized by EMT changes. Apatinib demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of biological behaviors in HepG2/Sorafenib cells, with minimal impact on HepG2 cells. Additionally, apatinib had a pronounced effect on the expression of EMT-related proteins in sorafenib-resistant cells similar to that in sorafenib-sensitive cells. Furthermore, there was a dose-dependent reduction in the expression of proteins associated with the EGFR/JNK/ERK pathway in apatinib-treated groups. Notably, SP600125 and PD98059 contributed to the inhibition of EMT and EGFR/JNK/ERK pathway-related proteins by apatinib in sorafenib-resistant HCC. Conclusion: Apatinib potentially hindered the progression of sorafenib-resistant HCC by suppressing both EMT and the EGFR/JNK/ERK pathway.
Authors: DEXUE FAN, WEI SU, ZHAOWEN BI, XINXING WANG, XIANWEN XU, MINGZE MA, LICHAO ZHU, ZHENHAI ZHANG, JUNLIN GAO
Language: English
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4410875071