Synergistic Antitumor Effects of Tanshinone IIA and Sorafenib or Its Derivative SC-1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Overview

Journal Onco Targets Ther

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Oncology

Date 2018 Apr 12

PMID 29636623

Citations 10

Authors

Chien-Ming Chiu

Sung-Ying Huang

Shu-Fang Chang

Kuan-Fu Liao

Sheng-Chun Chiu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of hepatic malignancy in the world. We aimed to determine the effect of tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA) in combination with sorafenib or its derivative SC-1 on cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and metastasis in human HCC cells.

Materials And Methods: Cytotoxicity was detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis and sub-G1 populations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated by Transwell assay. Protein expression was detected by Western blot.

Results: Tan-IIA combined with sorafenib or SC-1 exerted synergistic cytotoxicity in HCC cells. Elevated proportions of sub-G1 and caspase activation were observed in the combinative treatments; in addition, marked inhibition of cell migration and invasion, which could be mediated by the modulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition was observed. pSTAT3 levels were significantly reduced as well.

Conclusion: A combination therapy using Tan-IIA and sorafenib or SC-1 could be a promising approach to target HCC, and further preclinical investigations are warranted to establish their synergetic advantage.

Citing Articles

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