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Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology
Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 3/2012

01-03-2012 | Original Article

ABT-263 sensitizes TRAIL-resistant hepatocarcinoma cells by downregulating the Bcl-2 family of anti-apoptotic protein

Authors: Guan Wang, Yao Zhan, Haiqing Wang, Wenhua Li

Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology | Issue 3/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

Tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising anticancer agent due to its selective cytotoxicity to transformed cells. However, most human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) develop resistance to TRAIL. Thus, there is an urgent need to investigate the molecular targets and the underlying mechanisms that may be involved in overriding the resistance of tumor cells to TRAIL.

Methods

Cell viability analysis was performed in HCC cells after treatment with TRAIL and/or ABT-263. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis. The expression of caspases and members of the Bcl-2 family was examined through immunoblot analysis. Finally, the viability of cancer cells transfected with a plasmid containing HBx (hepatitis B virus X protein) following treatment with TRAIL was also measured.

Results

In this study, we demonstrate that ABT-263, a potent and orally bioavailable inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family, was able to reverse the resistance of hepatocarcinoma cell lines to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, while sparing normal liver cells. The molecular mechanism of the reversal in resistance may be attributed to the inhibition by ABT-263 of anti-apoptosis proteins of the Bcl-2 family. In addition, we determined that HBx was able to sensitize TRAIL-resistant hepatocarcinoma Huh7 cells.

Conclusions

These findings provide a novel insight into the clinical application of TRAIL-induced apoptosis of HCC cells.
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Metadata
Title
ABT-263 sensitizes TRAIL-resistant hepatocarcinoma cells by downregulating the Bcl-2 family of anti-apoptotic protein
Authors
Guan Wang
Yao Zhan
Haiqing Wang
Wenhua Li
Publication date
01-03-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0344-5704
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-011-1763-0

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