Nagler, A., Dept. of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
Ohana, M., Dept. of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Shibolet, O., Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Shapira, M.Y., Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Alper, R., Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Vlodavsky, I., Department of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
Pines, M., Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Ilan, Y., Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hadassah University Hospital, P.O. Box 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel

Halofuginone, a widely used alkaloid coccidiostat, is a potent inhibitor of collagen α1 (I) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 gene expression. Halofuginone also suppresses extracellular matrix deposition and fibroblast proliferation. It was recently shown to be effective in suppression of bladder carcinoma and glioma. This study sought to evaluate the effect of treatment with halofuginone on growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice. Athymic Balb/c mice were injected subcutaneously with 107 human hepatoma cells (Hep3B), followed by treatment with halofuginone administered in the diet (750 μg/kg) starting on day 3, before tumour innoculation. The control group was received a normal diet. Mice were followed for survival, tumour volume and serum α-fetoprotein (αFP). The mechanism of the anti-tumour effect of halofuginone was determined in vitro by assessing tumour cell growth, and by measuring the serum concentrations of interferon-γ (IFNγ) and interleukin 2 (IL2). Halofuginone treatment induced almost complete tumour suppression in treated mice. Mortality rates were 10% and 50%, in halofuginone-treated and control mice, respectively (P<0.001). No visible tumour was observed in treated mice, as compared with a 364 mm3 tumour in control mice. Serum αFP were 0.1 and 212 ng/ml in treated and control mice, respectively (P<0.005). Halofuginone significantly inhibited HCC proliferation in vitro. Maximal inhibition of 64% of tumour cell growth was observed at a concentration of 10-8 M. The anti-tumour effect was mediated via a significant increase in IFNγ and IL2 (90 vs. 35, and 210 vs. 34 pg/ml in treated and control groups, respectively, P<0.005). Treatment with halofuginone effectively suppressed the progression of HCC in mice. This effect may be associated with a direct anti-tumour effect, and/or enhancement of a systemic immune response. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.