Erlotinib induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in hepatocellular cancer cells and enhances chemosensitivity towards cytostatics.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer-related causes of death worldwide. In light of the very poor 5-year-survival new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Recently, evidence has been accumulated that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising target for cancer therapy. Several reports indicate that EGFRs are expressed frequently in HCC, most likely contributing to the aggressive growth characteristics of these tumors.


METHODS
Erlotinib, an inhibitor of EGFR-tyrosine kinase, potently suppresses the growth of various tumors, but its effect on HCC remains to be explored. We therefore studied the antineoplastic potency of erlotinib in human HCC cells (Huh-7 and HepG2 cell lines).


RESULTS
We show that erlotinib inhibited HCC growth in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Moreover erlotinib treatment induced apoptosis and resulted in a dose-dependent arrest at the G1/S checkpoint of the cell cycle. Combining erlotinib with doxorubicin or docetaxel or SN-38 resulted in additive or even synergistic antiproliferative effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that in human HCC cells the inhibition of EGFR-tyrosine kinase by erlotinib induces growth inhibition, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Additionally, erlotinib enhances the antineoplastic activity of conventional cytostatic drugs. Thus, inhibiting EGFR-tyrosine kinase appears to be a promising treatment strategy in HCC.
Huether
Alexander
A
Gastroenterology/Infectious Diseases/Rheumatology, Medical Clinic I, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200, Berlin, Germany.
Höpfner
Michael
M
Sutter
Andreas P
AP
Schuppan
Detlef
D
Scherübl
Hans
H
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000494:pharmacology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011799:Quinazolines; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors