Sorafenib prevents the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of liver cancer cells by regulating autophagy and hypoxia-inducible factor-1

• DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10412
• Publication Date: 2021-07-12T05:54:30Z
• Authors: Qingzhuang Yang; Lianghui Gao; Xiaolong Huang; Jie Weng; Youke Chen; Shibu Lin; Qiushi Yin
• Keywords: Hypoxia; Liver Cancer

Sorafenib has been approved as a systemic drug for advanced liver cancer; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate effects of sorafenib on proliferation, autophagy and apoptosis HepG2 cells under hypoxia. Briefly, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR western blotting was performed quantify HIF-1, LC3II/I, mTOR p70s6K expression levels. Cell proliferation determined using Counting Kit‑8 assay cell rate evaluated flow cytometry. results demonstrated that were induced by hypoxia, further enhanced hypoxia-induced in dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, mechanism sorafenib-mediated cancer investigated chloroquine (CQ). showed CQ significantly inhibited decreasing LC3II/LC3I ratio treated with and/or By contrast, could increase hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) marker (LC3II/I) decrease mammalian target rapamycin p70 ribosomal S6 kinase normoxia hypoxia conditions, suggesting induce cells. In addition, prevent also malignant behavior inducing autophagy. summary, findings from suggested may inhibit progression activating HIF-1 signaling pathway.