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Antiproliferative Effect of Lenvatinib on Human Liver Cancer Cell Lines In Vitro and In Vivo

Ogasawara S, Mihara Y, Kondo R, Kusano H, Akiba J, Yano H

Anticancer research, 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Lenvatinib is a potent inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR1-3), fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4), KIT, and RET. Here, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of lenvatinib in liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and two combined hepatocellular/cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were treated with 0-30 μM lenvatinib. Cell growth, apoptosis and the expression of FGFR1-4, FGF19, fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate (FRS)2α and RET were examined. Two HCC cell lines were subcutaneously implanted on nude mice and mice were treated with 3, 10, 30 mg/kg/day of lenvatinib or vehicle for 14 consecutive days. Tumor volume was measured every 3 days. Mice were sacrificed on day 15 and tumors were processed for histological examination. Blood vessels, microvessel density, necrosis, and apoptosis were also examined.

RESULTS: Lenvatinib dose- and time-dependently inhibited growth of all cell lines; however, sensitivity to lenvatinib varied. Apoptosis was not observed in any cell line, and expression of FGFR1, -2, -3 and -4, FGF19, FRS2α, and RET were observed in these cell lines. Cell lines with high expression of these factors showed higher response to lenvatinib. In mice, lenvatinib dose-dependently suppressed tumor growth. Blood vessels and microvessel density were significantly reduced and the rate of necrosis was…

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