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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Assessment of Resistance to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors by an Interrogation of Signal Transduction Pathways by Antibody Arrays
Published on: September 19, 2018
Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis identifies the potential therapeutic target EphA2 for overcoming sorafenib
Chih-Ta Chen1, Li-Zhu Liao1, Ching-Hui Lu1
1Graduate Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Limited therapeutic options are available for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma owing to its poor diagnosis. Drug resistance to sorafenib, the only available targeted agent, is commonly reported. The comprehensive elucidation of the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance may thus aid in the development of more efficacious therapeutic agents. To clarify the signaling changes contributing to resistance, we applied quantitative phosphoproteomics to analyze the differential phosphorylation changes between parental and sorafenib-resistant HuH-7 cells. Consequently, an average of ~1500 differential phosphoproteins were identified and quantified, among which 533 were significantly upregulated in resistant cells. Further bioinformatic integration via functional categorization annotation, pathway enrichment and interaction linkage analysis led to the discovery of alterations in pathways associated with cell adhesion and motility, cell survival and cell growth and the identification of a novel target, EphA2, in resistant HuH-7R cells. In vitro functional analysis indicated that the suppression of EphA2 function impairs cell proliferation and motility and, most importantly, overcomes sorafenib resistance. The attenuation of sorafenib resistance may be achieved prior to its development through the modulation of EphA2 and the subsequent inhibition of Akt activity. Binding analyses and in silico modeling revealed a ligand mimic lead compound, prazosin, that could abate the ligand-independent oncogenic activity of EphA2. Finally, data obtained from in vivo animal models verified that the simultaneous inhibition of EphA2 with sorafenib treatment can effectively overcome sorafenib resistance and extend the projected survival of resistant tumor-bearing mice. Thus our findings regarding the targeting of EphA2 may provide an effective approach for overcoming sorafenib resistance and may contribute to the management of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Insights
Targeting EphA2 overcomes sorafenib resistance in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Inhibiting EphA2, a novel target, with sorafenib improves survival in resistant tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma has limited treatment options.
- Sorafenib resistance is a major challenge in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.
- To identify novel therapeutic targets for overcoming sorafenib resistance.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative phosphoproteomics to compare parental and sorafenib-resistant cells.
- Bioinformatic analysis for pathway and target identification.
- In vitro and in vivo functional assays.
Main Results:
- Identified EphA2 as a novel target upregulated in resistant cells.
- Suppression of EphA2 impaired proliferation, motility, and overcame sorafenib resistance.
- Prazosin identified as a potential inhibitor of EphA2.
- Combined inhibition of EphA2 and sorafenib improved survival in animal models.
Conclusions:
- Targeting EphA2 is a promising strategy to overcome sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.
- EphA2 inhibition, potentially with prazosin, offers a new therapeutic approach for advanced disease.
