Objective:To study the effect of rapamycin on the biological characteristics of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods :Eighty nude mice bearing orthotopic human HCC were divided randomizely into 4 groups: control group, cyclosporine (CsA) treatment group, and rapamycin (routine dose) treatment group, and rapamycin (high dose) treatment group. Two weeks after treatment, the influence of rapamycin on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma was observed, and RT-PCR was used to detect CD44v6 mRNA expression in the hepatocellular carcinoma tissues.
Results:As compare with control group,the tumor volume significantly decreased in routine dose rapamycin group and high dose rapamycin group, but increased in CsA group, The expression of CD44v6 mRNA was downregulated in routine dose rapamycin group and high dose rapamycin group, but upregulated in CsA group, as compared with control group.
Conclusions:CsA can promote the growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Rapamycin can inhibit the growth and invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Rapamycin also can inhibit CD44v6 gene expression.