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Estrogen inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression dependent on HOXA11-AS/HOXA11

Pincheng Zhou1, Fengze Sun2, Peixu Lin3

  • 1School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China; Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University,Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, China.

Translational Oncology
|May 9, 2025
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Estrogen promotes liver cancer cell death via HOXA11-AS, a key regulator in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Targeting estrogen and HOXA11 may offer new therapeutic strategies for HCC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatobiliary Neoplasms
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • The precise role and mechanisms of estrogen in liver cancer remain incompletely understood.
  • Investigating estrogen's influence on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial for therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which estrogen and HOXA11-AS regulate apoptosis in HCC.
  • To determine the correlation between HOXA11 expression and patient prognosis in HCC.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry and Western blotting were employed to study HOXA11-AS and estrogen's role in HCC apoptosis.
  • In vivo assays assessed HOXA11-AS's regulatory function in HCC progression.
  • Immunohistochemistry analyzed the link between HOXA11 expression and HCC patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Estrogen-induced apoptosis in HCC cells is dependent on HOXA11-AS.
  • HOXA11 and HOXA11-AS are upregulated in HCC tissues and promote proliferation, migration, and invasion.
  • High HOXA11 expression correlates with poorer overall survival, disease-free survival, recurrence, vascular invasion, and larger tumor volume in HCC patients.
  • Estrogen activates the c-met/AKT/mTOR pathway in HCC cells.

Conclusions:

  • Estrogen and associated proteins demonstrate therapeutic potential in HCC.
  • HOXA11-AS and estrogen represent promising therapeutic targets for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Keywords:
EstrogenHOXA11HOXA11-ASHepatocellular carcinoma

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