Camptothecin suppresses NRF2-ARE activity and sensitises hepatocellular carcinoma cells to anticancer drugs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle in the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite playing an important role in chemoprevention, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) also contributes to chemo- and radio-resistance. The current study focusses on camptothecin as a novel NRF2 inhibitor to sensitise HCC to chemotherapy.

Methods

The expression and transcriptional activity of NRF2 in human HCC biopsies and camptothecin-treated culture cells were determined using immunostaining, western blot, reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and luciferase reporter assay. The effect of camptothecin on chemosensitivity of cancer cells was assessed in vitro and in xenografts.

Results

The expression and transcripti

SUBMITTER: Chen F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5680465 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature