Further exploration of molecular mechanisms of hedgehog signaling in modulating metastases will establish molecular targets for the therapeutic intervention of hepatoma metastases. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Ya-Han Fan, Samantha Nguyen, Jia Ding, Jian Wu BACKGROUND: Sorafenib is the only systemic agent approved for the therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, in spite of its efficacy, the investigation of alternative therapeutic

targets is urgently required. JNK is overexpressed in the majority of HCC and chemical induction of HCC is prevented byJNK inhibition. Notably, expression of JNK was recently shown to predict a poor response to sorafenib. Nevertheless, since no JNK inhibitor is currently undergoing investigation as therapy of HCC, JNK remains

a largely unexploited therapeutic target. CEP-1347 Torin 1 cost is a MLK/JNK inhibitor originally designed to prevent the progression of Parkinson’s disease, and underwent extensive Phase 3 clinical investigation proving Selleck LEE011 save and well tolerated. We aimed at assessing the potential efficacy of this compound as therapy of HCC. METHODS: the effect of CEP-1 347 was assessed in liver cancer cell lines by viability assays, FACS-based analysis of cell cycle and apoptosis and by western blot. In vivo, its effect was assessed in a model of xenograft tumor induction by daily intraperitoneal

injections of CEP-1347 or vehicle. RESULTS: Administration of CEP-1 347 Adenosine triphosphate in nanomolar range led to a dramatic loss of cell viability and enhanced the antiproliferative effect of sorafenib by causing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Concomitantly, caspase cleavage and the downregulation of apoptosis regulators Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 were observed. In vivo CEP-1347 strongly inhibited tumor growth of Huh7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: We provide preclinical in vitro and in vivo data showing the antitumor activity of CEP-1 347 and propose the utilization of this compound as experimental therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Shuai Lu, Johanna Liebl, Antonia Rizzani, Burkhard Göke, Eike Gallmeier, Alexander L. Gerbes, Angelika Vollmar, Enrico N. De Toni Background and aims: Double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) is upregulated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that PKR is overexpressed and activated in HCC with HCV infection, as compared with surrounding non-HCC tissues. However, the precise roles of PKR in HCC with HCV infection remain unclear. The present study aimed to identify the roles of PKR in HCC with HCV infection, and to determine whether overexpressed PKR in HCC has beneficial or malignant effects in patients with this disease.