Targeting MEK is Effective Chemoprevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in TGF-α-Transgenic Mice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes 600,000 mortalities per year worldwide. Previous studies from our lab provide evidence for altered mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) signaling in HCC pathogenesis. We hypothesized that pharmacologic targeting of MEK may prevent HCC. Transforming growth factor-alpha-transgenic mice (CD1-MT42) exposed to diethylnitrosamine were randomized to 20 (trial I) or 35 (trial II) weeks of MEK inhibitor PD0325901 (1, 10 mg/kg) or control via orogastric gavage. Ten HCC (44%) formed in trial I controls versus 0 in treatment arms (p < 0.05). Fourteen HCC (50%) formed in trial II controls versus 1 (9%) in treatment arms (p < 0.05). Mean HCC volume was 578 mm³ in control versus 46 mm³ in the single tumor formed in trial II. In trial I, foci of altered hepatocytes (FAH) formed in 78% of control versus 40% and 0% (1 and 10 mg/kg PD0325901) in treatment arms (p < 0.05). In trial II, incidence of FAH was 80% in control versus 20% and 50% (1 and 10 mg/kg PD0325901) in treatment arms (p < 0.05). Hepatocyte expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase dose-dependently decreased in trial I but remained the same in trial II. Control and treated HCC demonstrated similar proliferation rates, but apoptosis appeared increased with treatment. MEK targeting is effective HCC chemoprevention, perhaps by lowering the apoptotic threshold.