Combined Targeting of AKT and mTOR Inhibits Tumor Formation of EpCAM⁺ and CD90⁺ Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells in an Orthotopic Mouse Model.

ABSTRACT: The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and Thy-1 cell surface antigen (CD90) have been implicated as cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression of EpCAM and CD90 on HCC cells is associated with increased tumorigenicity, metastasis and poor prognosis. In this study, we demonstrate that combined treatment with AKT and mTOR inhibitors-i.e., MK2206 and RAD001-results in a synergistic reduction in proliferation of EpCAM⁺ and CD90⁺ HCC cells cultured either as adherent cells or as tumoroids in vitro. In addition, tumor growth was reduced by combined treatment with AKT and mTOR inhibitors in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model of an EpCAM⁺ HCC cell line (Huh7) and primary patient-derived EpCAM⁺ HCC cells (HCC1) a

SUBMITTER: Moustafa M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9024696 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature