Abstract: Objective To investigate the combined effect of Entecavir and Chloroquine on the biological function of liver cancer HepG2 cells. Methods HepG2 cells were treated with Entecavir (40 μmol/L), Chloroquine (10 μmol/L) or a combination of both, and a blank control group was set up. The cell viability was detected by CCK⁃8 assay, the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, the cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell assay, and danyl glutarenediamine (MDC) staining was used to detect cell autophagy. Results Compared with the blank control group, Entecavir or Chloroquine alone inhibited the cell viability and invasion of  HepG2 cells, and the combined inhibitory effect was more significant (all P<0.05). Both Entecavir and Chloroquine could increase the overall apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells, and the combined effect was more significant (all P<0.001). The autophagosomes in HepG2 cells were reduced after Entecavir or Chloroquine treatment alone, and the number of autophagosomes in HepG2 cells was more significantly reduced after the combined treatment. Conclusions Both Entecavir and Chloroquine can inhibit the cell viability and invasion of liver cancer HepG2 cells, promoting cell apoptosis and reduce autophagy level. The combined effect of Entecavir and Chloroquine on these biological functions is more significant, which deserves further investigation. 

Key words: Liver cancer, Entecavir, Chloroquine, Cell viability, Apoptosis, Invasion, Autophagy