Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40456026›Full record

ArticleHepatology (Baltimore, Md.)2026

The MASTL/YBX1/PAK4 axis regulated by stress-activated STK24 triggers lenvatinib resistance and tumor progression in HCC.

Bu-Gang Liang, Yi-Min Zheng, Ming-Hao Xu, Chao Gao, Wen-Xin Xu, Jun-Bo Chen, Si-Wei Wang, Long-Tao Zhao, Guo-Huan Yang, Li Yuan and 6 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Bu-Gang LiangDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0009-0009-2816-3200
Yi-Min ZhengDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0002-4701-945
Ming-Hao XuDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0001-5656-8090
Chao GaoDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0002-8381-7416
Wen-Xin XuDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Jun-Bo ChenDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Si-Wei WangDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Long-Tao ZhaoDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0009-0007-3014-9868
Guo-Huan YangDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Li YuanDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
A-Ying MaDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Ze-Ning DongHepatobiliary and Splenic Surgery Ward, Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Jia-Bin CaiDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Hui-Chuan SunDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Ai-Wu KeDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Ying-Hao ShenDepartment of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion (Ministry of Education), Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.ORCID 0000-0001-6476-0648

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimsMany patients with HCC present inadequate responses to lenvatinib therapy. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of resistance and to formulate effective reversal strategies. APPROACH AND

resultsWe conducted transcriptome and proteome sequencing analyses of lenvatinib-resistant cell lines and patient-derived tissues, identifying microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase-like (MASTL) as a critical factor associated with lenvatinib resistance in HCC. Then, we utilized subcutaneous mouse models, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) measurements, and colony formation assays to determine the biological function of MASTL in promoting tumor growth and mediating resistance to lenvatinib. To further elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we performed co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analyses, revealing that MASTL facilitates the phosphorylation of Y-box binding protein-1 (YBX1). Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we subsequently confirmed that phosphorylated YBX1 transcriptionally activates PAK4, identifying PAK4 as a downstream effector of the MASTL pathway. Moreover, mass spectrometry and phosphorylation analysis indicated that serine/threonine protein kinase 24 (STK24), a stress-responsive kinase, can activate MASTL in HCC under lenvatinib exposure. Notably, disruption of the MASTL/YBX1/PAK4 signaling axis restored HCC sensitivity to lenvatinib.

conclusionsWe propose that the MASTL/YBX1/PAK4 axis, which is activated by stress-induced STK24, plays a crucial role in lenvatinib resistance. Inhibiting this axis by targeting MASTL effectively overcomes lenvatinib resistance in HCC.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, HepatocellularDrug Resistance, NeoplasmLiver NeoplasmsMicrotubule-Associated Proteinsp21-Activated KinasesPhenylurea CompoundsProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesQuinolinesY-Box-Binding Protein 1AnimalsAntineoplastic AgentsCell Line, TumorDisease ProgressionHumansMicePhosphorylationAntineoplastic AgentslenvatinibMicrotubule-Associated Proteinsp21-Activated KinasesPAK4 protein, humanPhenylurea CompoundsProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesQuinolinesY-Box-Binding Protein 1YBX1 protein, humancombination therapyHCClenvatinib resistanceMASTLphosphorylation modification

Identifiers

PMID40456026
PMCPMC12991344

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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.