Targeted Ubiquitination and Degradation of GOLM1 by CC-885 Suppresses Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Metastasis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. This study demonstrates that the compound CC-885 exerts potent anti-tumor effects in HCC both in vitro and in vivo. CC-885 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. In vivo, CC-885 markedly reduced tumor growth and angiogenesis in chick embryo and mouse xenograft models. Mechanistically, CC-885 selectively reduced GOLM1 protein levels via ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation, without affecting its mRNA levels. GOLM1 knockdown mimicked the anti-proliferative effects of CC-885, while overexpression of GOLM1 conferred resistance to CC-885-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition. CC-885 facilitated the interaction between GOLM1 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase CRBN, promoting GOLM1 ubiquitination and degradation. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that CC-885 and GOLM1 knockdown modulated key pathways involved in apoptosis, NF-κB signaling, and cell proliferation. These findings highlight CC-885 as a promising therapeutic agent for HCC, primarily by facilitating the CRBN-dependent degradation of GOLM1, underscoring its potential for clinical application.