Open Access

Carfilzomib inhibits the progression of hepatocellular cancer by upregulating GADD45α expression

  • Authors:
    • Mingxun Chen
    • Xu Chen
    • Yifang Shui
    • Chunyong Ji
    • Wenzhi Guo
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 4, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14955
  • Article Number: 208
  • Copyright: © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the most prevalent and lethal cancers affecting humans. Currently, there are limited effective treatments available for HCC. Carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor, is known to exert anti‑HCC activities; however, its underlying mechanisms of action remain unclear. In the present study, the efficacy of carfilzomib against HCC was evaluated and its underlying mechanisms were explored. Cell Counting Kit‑8, 5‑ethynyl‑2‑deoxyuridine staining and colony formation assays were employed to analyze the antiproliferative effect of carfilzomib on MHCC‑97H and Huh7 cells. Additionally, flow cytometry was used to assess the effect of carfilzomib on the cell cycle and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the effect of carfilzomib on cell migration and invasion. Western blotting was utilized to examine the protein expression levels associated with cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, short hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection was used to investigate the role of DNA damage inducible α (GADD45α) on carfilzomib‑induced cell cycle arrest. A xenograft tumor model using nude mice was employed to evaluate the anti‑HCC activity of carfilzomib in vivo. The findings demonstrated that carfilzomib inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration in both MHCC‑97H and Huh7 cells. In addition, carfilzomib caused cell cycle arrest by suppressing the expression of cyclin A2, cyclin E1 and cyclin‑dependent kinases 2 and 4. Carfilzomib also upregulated the expression of GADD45α, activated the MAPK pathway and inhibited GADD45α through shRNA abolished carfilzomib‑induced cell cycle arrest in HCC cells. In addition, carfilzomib inhibited Huh7 cell growth in vivo. To conclude, the present research revealed that carfilzomib inhibits the progression of HCC cells by upregulating GADD45α expression, suggesting that carfilzomib could be a potential chemotherapeutic agent against HCC.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

April-2025
Volume 29 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Chen M, Chen X, Shui Y, Ji C and Guo W: Carfilzomib inhibits the progression of hepatocellular cancer by upregulating GADD45α expression. Oncol Lett 29: 208, 2025.
APA
Chen, M., Chen, X., Shui, Y., Ji, C., & Guo, W. (2025). Carfilzomib inhibits the progression of hepatocellular cancer by upregulating GADD45α expression. Oncology Letters, 29, 208. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14955
MLA
Chen, M., Chen, X., Shui, Y., Ji, C., Guo, W."Carfilzomib inhibits the progression of hepatocellular cancer by upregulating GADD45α expression". Oncology Letters 29.4 (2025): 208.
Chicago
Chen, M., Chen, X., Shui, Y., Ji, C., Guo, W."Carfilzomib inhibits the progression of hepatocellular cancer by upregulating GADD45α expression". Oncology Letters 29, no. 4 (2025): 208. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14955