Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40369243›Full record

ArticlePediatric research2026

Anlotinib mediates intrinsic drug resistance in hepatoblastoma through the GAD1/GABA pathway.

Haijin Huang, Yanping Feng, Yuhui Xu, Jianping Liu, Wei Peng, Linshan Zeng, Yong Zeng, Jinping Liu, Xiao He, Haijin Liu

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Article in Pediatric research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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10 authors.

Haijin Huang *Department of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Yanping Feng *Department of Neurological Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Yuhui Xu *Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ganzhou People's Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Jianping LiuDepartment of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Wei PengDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Linshan ZengDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Yong ZengDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Jinping LiuDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China.
Xiao HeDepartment of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China. hexiao00914@aliyun.com.
Haijin LiuDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China. liuhaijingmu@126.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-4139-7912

Funding

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIntrinsic resistance reduces the effectiveness of many anticancer therapies. Anlotinib, a small-molecule multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has shown potential in treating hepatoblastoma. This study investigates the role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in anlotinib resistance using in vivo and in vitro models.

methodsHuH-6 hepatoblastoma cells were implanted into nude mice to assess the effects of anlotinib on tumor growth. Neurotransmitter-targeted metabolomics was performed to analyze neurotransmitter metabolism in xenograft tumor tissues. In vitro, HuH-6 and HepG2 cells were treated with anlotinib to evaluate changes in GABA synthesis, degradation, and associated protein expression.

resultsAnlotinib significantly inhibited HuH-6 tumor growth but was less effective than cisplatin. Neurotransmitter-targeted metabolomics showed tumors treated with anlotinib exhibited increased GABA levels. Anlotinib treatment also upregulated the protein expression of GAD1, a key enzyme in GABA synthesis. In vitro, anlotinib treatment enhanced GABA release and GAD1 expression in hepatoblastoma cells. Exogenous GABA stimulation promoted cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Notably, GAD1 knockdown enhanced anlotinib's inhibitory effects on hepatoblastoma in vitro and in vivo.

conclusionAnlotinib induces intrinsic resistance in hepatoblastoma by upregulating GAD1 and increasing GABA accumulation. Targeting GAD1 may enhance anlotinib's therapeutic efficacy and help overcome resistance. IMPACT: Anlotinib upregulates GAD1 to enhance GABA synthesis, driving intrinsic resistance in hepatoblastoma by activating tumor-promoting GABA signaling in the tumor microenvironment. First identification of the GAD1/GABA axis as a critical mediator of anlotinib resistance, expanding understanding of neurotransmitter-driven drug tolerance in pediatric cancers. GAD1 knockdown synergizes with anlotinib to overcome resistance, establishing a combinatorial strategy to enhance antitumor efficacy in preclinical models. Proposes targeting GABA metabolism to optimize anlotinib-based therapies, addressing unmet needs in refractory hepatoblastoma treatment.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsDrug Resistance, Neoplasmgamma-Aminobutyric AcidGlutamate DecarboxylaseHepatoblastomaIndolesLiver NeoplasmsQuinolinesAnimalsCell Line, TumorCell ProliferationHep G2 CellsHumansMiceMice, NudeSignal TransductionanlotinibAntineoplastic Agentsgamma-Aminobutyric AcidGlutamate Decarboxylaseglutamate decarboxylase 1IndolesQuinolines

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.