Enhancing the Efficacy of Carvedilol in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Analysis of Combination Therapy with Sorafenib
Background: Carvedilol, a non-selective beta-blocker, has shown potential anti-tumor effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its efficacy as a monotherapy is limited. This study investigates the synergistic effects of carvedilol combined with sorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, in HCC treatment. Methods: In vitro assays were performed using HCC cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) to assess cell viability, apoptosis, and migration. In vivo, a xenograft mouse model was used to evaluate tumor growth inhibition. Molecular mechanisms were explored via Western blotting and qRT-PCR. Results: Combination therapy significantly reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis compared to monotherapies. Tumor growth in vivo was markedly suppressed in the combination group. Mechanistically, the combination downregulated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins. Conclusion: Carvedilol enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of sorafenib in HCC, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy.