Combination of NTP with cetuximab inhibited invasion/migration of cetuximab-resistant OSCC cells: Involvement of NF-κB signaling.

Although the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an established target in head-and-neck cancer (HNC), resistance to EGFR-targeted therapy mediated by various mechanisms has been reported. Therefore, a combination strategy to overcome resistance to EGFR mono-targeted therapy is clinically required. We have previously demonstrated that non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTP) induces death of various cancer cells, including oral squamous cancer (OSCC) cells. In this study, we report for the first time that combining NTP treatment with cetuximab led to inhibition of migration and invasion in cetuximab-resistant OSCC cells, which could be a promising strategy to overcome resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. NTP induced deactivation of NF-κB in SCCQLL1 cells, but not in MSKQLL1 cells. In addition, NTP increased the expression level of E-cadherin, and decreased those of vimentin, Slug, Snail, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -9, and activities of MMPs. Moreover, NF-κB upregulation using cDNA diminished the combination effect of NTP on invasion, migration and related signals. Taken together, these results indicate that the combination of NTP with cetuximab can decrease invasiveness in cetuximab-resistant OSCCs through a novel mechanism involving the NF-κB pathway. These findings show the therapeutic potential of treatment that combines NTP and cetuximab in OSCC.