Relationship Between OCT1 Expression and Poor Response to Sorafenib in HCC

Jesper Andersen, PhD, associate professor, Biotech and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, discusses the relationship between reduced organic cation transporter-1 (OCT1) and poor response to sorafenib (Nexavar) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma.

Overexpression of OCT1 in HCC and cholangiocarcinoma is related to an increase in uptake and sensitivity to sorafenib, according to recent results of a study.

Although, if a patient has endogenously induced tumors—either by a carcinogen or by modification in mouse models—there is a downregulation of OCT1, which leads to the poor pharmacological effect of sorafenib, says Andersen.