DZW-310, a novel phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor, attenuates the angiogenesis and growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant tumors worldwide with high lethality and prevalence. The deregulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway plays an indispensable role in mediating the progression of HCC. Among them, PI3K acts as the most pivotal initiator, contributing to multiple malignant biological processes, like proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Many PI3K inhibitors (PI3Kis) have been proved or proceeded into clinical as antineoplastic drugs. Nevertheless, the application of PI3Kis for the treatment of HCC remains a blank. Accordingly, our study identified a novel PI3Ki (DZW-310) with strong anti-HCC activity in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to evaluate its anti-HCC effect and elucidate its potential mechanism. Our current results revealed that DZW-310 significantly attenuated HCC cell growth through promoting intrinsic apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell arrest. Moreover, DZW-310 suppressed angiogenesis by regulating the HIF-1α/VEGFA axis. Further mechanistic investigation demonstrated that DZW-310, functioned as a PI3Ki, exerted strong anti-HCC activity by acting on PI3Kα (a major subtype of PI3K) and ulteriorly deactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Collectively, our studies identified that DZW-310 is expected to become a promising HCC therapeutic agent and broaden clinical application of PI3Ki in HCC chemotherapy.