Vorinostat enhances the anticancer effect of oxaliplatin on hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Oxaliplatin-based systemic chemotherapy has been proposed to have efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the combination of vorinostat and oxaliplatin for possible synergism in HCC cells. SMMC7721, BEL7402, and HepG2 cells were treated with vorinostat and oxaliplatin. Cytotoxicity assay, tumorigenicity assay in vitro, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis analysis, western blot analysis, animal model study, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative PCR were performed. We found that vorinostat and oxaliplatin inhibited the proliferation of SMMC7721, BEL7402, and HepG2 cells. The combination index (CI) values were all <1, and the dose-reduction index values were all greater than 1 in the three cell lines, indicating a synergistic effect of combination of the two agents. Coadministration of vorinostat and oxaliplatin induced G2/M phase arrest, triggered caspase-dependent apoptosis, and decreased tumorigenicity both in vitro and in vivo. Vorinostat suppressed the expression of BRCA1 induced by oxaliplatin. In conclusion, cotreatment with vorinostat and oxaliplatin exhibited synergism in HCC cells. The combination inhibited cell proliferation and tumorigenicity both in vitro and in vivo through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Our results predict that a combination of vorinostat and oxaliplatin may be useful in the treatment of advanced HCC.