Fig. 5

Dual EGFR and BRAF blockade induces synthetic lethality in BRAF V600E thyroid carcinoma cells. a Apoptotic cell death in BRAF V600E FRO, BCPAP and BHT101 thyroid carcinoma cell lines exposed to 10 μM PLX4032 or 10 μM gefitinib or the combination of both agents for 24 h (48 h in BHT101 cells). Statistical significance respect to vemurafenib single agent: *p < 0.01; **p < 0.001; ***p < 0.0001. b EGFR immunoblot analysis in FRO, BCPAP and BHT101 cells transfected with control (siNeg) or EGFR siRNA. c, d Cell cycle distribution (c) and apoptotic cell death (d) in BRAF V600E FRO, BCPAP and BHT101 thyroid carcinoma cell lines transfected with control (siNeg) or EGFR siRNA and subsequently exposed to 10 μM PLX4032 for 24 h. Statistical significance respect to vemurafenib single agent: *p < 0.01; **p < 0.001; ***p < 0.0001