biostudies-literatureUnknown49(3)Sun LSorafenib is a targeted drug for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, its efficacy is limited. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) contributes to sorafenib resistance. The present study investigated camptothecin (CPT) as a Nrf2 inhibitor to sensitize HCC to sorafenib. The effect of CPT on sorafenib sensitivity in HCC was assessed <i>in vivo</i> using H22 mice model (n=32) and VX2 rabbit models (n=32), which were sorted into four treatment groups. The expression levels of Nrf2, its downstream genes, including heme oxygenases‑1 (HO‑1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition markers Snail and N‑cadherin in tumors were determined using immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to moniOncology reports55https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9926516biostudies-literatureCamptothecin improves sorafenib sensitivity by inhibiting Nrf2‑ARE pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.PMC9926516Sun LMeng FLi GLi XZhang JLiu QChen FWang HChang SfalseCamptothecin improves sorafenib sensitivity by inhibiting Nrf2‑ARE pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.Sorafenib is a targeted drug for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, its efficacy is limited. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) contributes to sorafenib resistance. The present study investigated camptothecin (CPT) as a Nrf2 inhibitor to sensitize HCC to sorafenib. The effect of CPT on sorafenib sensitivity in HCC was assessed <i>in vivo</i> using H22 mice model (n=32) and VX2 rabbit models (n=32), which were sorted into four treatment groups. The expression levels of Nrf2, its downstream genes, including heme oxygenases‑1 (HO‑1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition markers Snail and N‑cadherin in tumors were determined using immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to moni2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2025-04-04T12:42:16.988Z2025-04-04T12:42:16.988ZS-EPMC99265163673428610.3892/or.2023.8492