Epidermal growth factor receptor/heme oxygenase-1 axis is involved in chemoresistance to cisplatin and pirarubicin in HepG2 cell lines and hepatoblastoma specimens

Study demonstrates that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) upregulation via EGFR signaling contributes to chemoresistance in hepatoblastoma cells treated with cisplatin and pirarubicin. Blocking this EGFR/HO-1 pathway with EGFR inhibitors significantly enhanced chemotherapy cytotoxicity in both cell lines and patient specimens, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome treatment resistance.