Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42483739›Full record

ArticleJournal of clinical and translational hepatology2026

Targeting the 4EBP1/HSP90β/Nrf2 Axis Sensitizes β-catenin-mutant Hepatocellular Carcinoma to mTOR Inhibitors via Ferroptosis Induction.

Rong Li, Yi Zhou, Zimu Wang, Gang Liu, Deyu Fan, Lanxuan Huang, Fule Deng, Ning Wei, Runze Shang, Meng Xu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of clinical and translational hepatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

10 authors.

Rong LiDepartment of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Yi ZhouDepartment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Zimu WangXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Gang LiuXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Deyu FanXi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Lanxuan HuangDepartment of Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Fule DengDepartment of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Ning WeiCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Runze ShangDepartment of General Surgery, Affiliated Strait Hospital of Huaqiao University, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7958-0700
Meng XuDepartment of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background and Aims: The aberrant activation of the mTOR pathway and its crosstalk with other signaling cascades represent key drivers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. mTOR-mediated ferroptosis suppression has been implicated in HCC resistance to chemotherapy. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying mTOR inhibitor resistance and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of multidrug combinations in β-catenin-mutant HCC. Methods: MHCC97H and SNU449 cells were transfected with 4EBP1WT, 4EBP1A4, or HSP90β expression plasmids and then treated with rapamycin to assess their effects on ferroptosis and rapamycin sensitivity. The role of 4EBP1 in regulating ferroptosis was further explored by Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. The inhibitory effects of mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin, MLN0128), ERK inhibitors (PD901), and their combination (MLN0128 + PD901) on tumor cells were evaluated. HCC mouse models were generated via hydrodynamic tail vein injection of c-Met/β-cateninΔN90 or c-Met/β-cateninΔN90/4EBP1A4 plasmids to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the four treatment regimens. Results: Rapamycin more potently inhibited mTOR/RPS6 than mTOR/4EBP1 and concurrently induced ferroptosis. 4EBP1A4 promoted ferroptosis and potentiated rapamycin efficacy. Mechanistically, 4EBP1A4 competitively bound HSP90β, displacing Keap1, thereby increasing Keap1-Nrf2 complex formation and promoting Nrf2 degradation. Furthermore, rapamycin, MLN0128, PD901, and their combination reduced p-4EBP1 levels, induced ferroptosis, and inhibited HCC cell proliferation, thereby suppressing tumor growth, with the combination exhibiting the strongest effect. Conclusions: 4EBP1A4 enhances Nrf2 ubiquitination and degradation via the HSP90β/Keap1 axis, relieving mTOR-mediated ferroptosis suppression and synergistically improving rapamycin efficacy. Additionally, rapamycin, MLN0128, and PD901 suppress HCC progression by inducing ferroptosis, with their combination showing superior potency.

Indexed as

4EBP1Drug combinationFerroptosisHCCHepatocellular carcinomamTOR pathway

Identifiers

PMID42483739
PMCPMC13384959

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.