TLR3 activation enhances antitumor effects of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma by activating NK cell functions through ERK and NF-κB pathways.

ABSTRACT: Background Sorafenib is a standard therapeutic agent for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its efficacy is moderate, as the survival of patients is prolonged for only a few months, and the response rate is low. The mechanism of low efficacy remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on the effects of sorafenib on HCC. Methods Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I: C)] was used as a double-stranded RNA analog and TLR3 agonist in subsequent experiments. After orthotopic implantation of HCC tumors in BALBc nu/nu or C57BL/6 mice, survival time, tumor growth, and metastasis in the abdomen and lungs were analyzed. Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity assays were used to analyze NK cells isolated from the spleen or peripheral blood. ELIS

SUBMITTER: Zhang QB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11531577 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature