Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species in Sorafenib-Induced Autophagy in HepG2 Cells

Abstract

Sorafenib is a newly established cancer drug found to be an effective systemic treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, little is known about any potential effectors that modify tumor cell sensitivity towards sorafenib. Autophagy, as a physiological cellular mechanism, is involved in both cell survival and cell death. Reactive oxygen species have been identified as signaling molecules in various pathways regulating both cell survival and cell death. In this study, it is found that the increased expression of Beclin 1 at gene and protein levels indicated that sorafenib could induce autophagy in HepG2 cells. Reactive oxygen species triggered by sorafenib may also induce autophagy. Reactive oxygen species mediated autophagy may play protective role in HepG2 cells treated with sorafenib. Reactive oxygen species inhibitors may enhance the sensitivity of molecularly targeted therapies in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.