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Current Molecular Medicine

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1566-5240
ISSN (Online): 1875-5666

Research Article

NIO-1, A Novel Inhibitor of OCT1, Enhances the Antitumor Action of Radiofrequency Ablation against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Author(s): Hua Yang*, Yang Yang, Xiaozheng Zou, Qian Zhang, Xiaoli Li, Chunyu Zhang, Yanan Wang and Lili Ren*

Volume 24, Issue 5, 2024

Published on: 03 July, 2023

Page: [637 - 647] Pages: 11

DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230526154739

Price: $65

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Abstract

Background: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an important treatment strategy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its therapeutic effect is unsatisfactory and recurrence often occurs after RFA treatment. The octamer-binding transcription factor OCT1 is a novel tumour-promoting factor and an ideal target for HCC therapy.

Objective: This study aimed to expand the understanding of HCC regulation by OCT1.

Methods: The expression levels of the target genes were examined using qPCR. The inhibitory effects of a novel inhibitor of OCT1 (NIO-1) on HCC cells and OCT1 activation were examined using Chromatin immunoprecipitation or cell survival assays. RFA was performed in a subcutaneous tumour model of nude mice.

Results: Patients with high OCT1 expression in the tumour tissue had a poor prognosis after RFA treatment (n = 81). The NIO-1 showed antitumor activity against HCC cells and downregulated the expression of the downstream genes of OCT1 in HCC cells, including those associated with cell proliferation (matrix metalloproteinase-3) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related factors (Snail, Twist, N-cadherin, and vimentin). In a subcutaneous murine model of HCC, NIO-1 enhanced the effect of RFA treatment on HCC tissues (n = 8 for NIO-1 and n = 10 for NIO-1 + RFA).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the clinical importance of OCT1 expression in HCC for the first time. Our findings also revealed that NIO-1 aids RFA therapy by targeting OCT1.

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