Epidermal growth factor receptor vIII enhances tumorigenicity and resistance to 5-fluorouracil in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Cancer Lett. 2009 Jun 28;279(1):30-8. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2009.01.019. Epub 2009 Feb 12.

Abstract

We investigated whether EGFRvIII contributes to tumorigenicity and resistance to 5-FU in HCC cell lines. Our results show that several HCC cell lines have EGFRvIII expression. EGFRvIII-positive HCC cells grew more rapidly and had a lower sensitivity to 5-FU than EGFRvIII-negative HCC cells. For further analysis of the biological characteristics of EGFRvIII, an EGFRvIII or EGFR expression cassette was introduced into the HCC cell line, Huh-7. Compared with Huh-7 cells and Huh7-EGFR cells, Huh7-EGFRvIII not only exhibit significantly increase of cell growth in vitro and in vivo but also show enhanced migration in vitro. Furthermore, 5-FU has significantly lower inhibition effect on Huh7-EGFRvIII cells then on both Huh-7 and Huh7-EGFR cells in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, these results demonstrate that EGFRvIII plays a pivotal role in tumorigenicity and enhanced 5-FU resistance of HCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Time Factors
  • Transfection
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • epidermal growth factor receptor VIII
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Fluorouracil