The - Pathway Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Recently, several comprehensive genomic analyses demonstrated and mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in approximately 20% of cases. Similar to other types of cancers, these studies also indicate that the pathway is closely related to HNSCC progression. However, the role of in HNSCC is less well understood. We analyzed pathway and downstream gene expression in the TCGA data set. To explore the functional role of , we performed proliferation, cisplatin viability, apoptosis, and cell-cycle assays. We also compared the relationships among , and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes using the TCGA data set and assays. is specifically upregulated in HNSCC compared with normal tissues in the TCGA data set. is more significantly related to activation in HNSCC in comparison with other receptors. promotes cell proliferation, cisplatin resistance, inhibition of apoptosis, and cell-cycle dysregulation. Furthermore, and upregulation resulted in decreased expression and increased , and expression. and expression was associated with an EMT phenotype as well as increased invasion and cell migration. In HNSCC, the pathway is specifically upregulated, induces proliferation and cisplatin resistance, and promotes EMT. .