Vemurafenib Induces Apoptosis via JNK Activation and AKT Inhibition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary liver cancer and remains one of the leading contributors to cancer-related mortality worldwide, primarily due to the disease's therapeutic resistance and marked tumor heterogeneity. Among the molecular mechanisms implicated in HCC progression, the dysregulation of the JNK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways plays a critical role in tumor initiation, cell proliferation, and cell survival. Vemurafenib, a clinically approved inhibitor of mutant BRAF kinase, has shown robust antitumor activity across multiple malignancies. However, its therapeutic utility in HCC remains largely unexplored.

We investigated the anticancer effects of vemurafenib in two human HCC cell lines.

Vemurafenib treatments led to significant declines in cell viability and colony formation, accompanied by marked reductions in the migratory and invasive behaviors of HCC cells. Mechanistically, vemurafenib enhanced JNK pathway activation while suppressing AKT phosphorylation.

Vemurafenib markedly inhibited HCC cell proliferation and metastasis, which was accompanied by a pronounced induction of apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell-cycle arrest. At the signaling level, these cellular responses were linked to enhanced JNK activation and the suppression of AKT phosphorylation, suggesting that vemurafenib may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for HCC.