Synergistic effects of chemoradiotherapy with novel molecular targeted agents against hepatocellular carcinoma

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K15968
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Hironori 徳島大学, 病院, 特任助教 (40792388)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma / radiotherapy / chemotherapy

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Lenvatinib was added to each hepatoma cell line, and cell viability was evaluated, revealing a dose-dependent antitumor effect. Next, lenvatinib was administered and irradiated, and a dose-dependent antitumor effect was observed. Based on these results, the combination index of the combination treatment was calculated, showing a CI<1.0, showing a synergistic effect. Next, the apoptosis induction was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the rate of Annexin V positive cells was high in the lenvatinib and radiation groups. Furthermore, the strongest apoptosis induction was observed in the combination group among the four groups.

Free Research Field

肝癌

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

最近、ソラフェニブに加え、レンバチニブなどの新しいTyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)が開発され、進行肝細胞癌に対する治療薬として承認された。治療困難な門脈浸潤を有する肝癌に、これらのTKIと放射線照射を組み合わせれば、より高い抗腫瘍活性を発揮し、腫瘍浸潤を制御しうることが期待される。また、治療の作用機序を解明することにより、有効な症例を選別する、あるいは拮抗薬や作動薬を併用して効果を高めることが可能になると期待される。