Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of Sorafenib on the proliferation and apoptosis of MHCC97-H human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro, as well as its effect on expression of PRL-3 protein and cell invasiveness. Methods Different concentrations of Sorafenib were applied to MHCC97-H human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and MTT assay was used to observe the inhibitory effect of Sorafenib on the cell proliferation at 24, 48 and 72 h to screen the optimum concentration of Sorafenib and intervention time. Giemsa staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PRL- 3. Transwell assay was used to detect the invasiveness of the tumor cells. Results The optimum concentration and time of Sorafenib intervention were 16 μmol/L and 48 h, respectively. Sorafenib induced apoptosis of MHCC97-H hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The inhibition rate of MHCC97-H cell proliferation was positively correlated with time and dosage. Sorafenib also decreased PRL-3 protein expression to different extent. After the expression of PRL- 3 decreased, the hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion ability was significantly inhibited. Conclusions Sorafenib can reduce the expression level of PRL-3 protein in MHCC97-H hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, and decrease the invasiveness of the cells, so as to induce the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Its inhibition of cancer cell migration may be mediated by down-regulation of PRL-3 protein.