“Cell viability assays in six HCC cell lines, HepG2, PLC/PRF/5, HuH6, HLE, HLF, and Hep3B, revealed that 5 and 10 μM ATRA , concentrations that do not exert cytotoxic effects, enhanced the cytotoxicity of sorafenib , being much more effective than NIK‐333 and Am80.”
“In the combination treatment using ATRA and sorafenib , increased apoptosis, followed by the activation of p38 MAPK and JNK, the upregulation and translocation of Bax to mitochondria, and the activation of caspase‐3, was observed.”
“Our results thus indicate that ATRA is useful for enhancing the cytotoxicity of sorafenib against HCC cells by regulating the energy metabolism of HCC cells.”