Promotes the Proliferation and Invasive Properties of Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a frequent malignancy with a poor prognosis. So far, the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab is the only approved targeted therapy. A deeper understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of HNSCC is needed to identify additional targets for rationally designed, personalized therapeutics. The transcription factor EVI1, the major product of the locus, is an oncoprotein with roles in both hematological and solid tumors. In HNSCC, high EVI1 expression was associated with an increased propensity to form lymph node metastases, but its effects in this tumor entity have not yet been determined experimentally. We therefore overexpressed or knocked down in several HNSCC cell lines and determined the impact of these manipulations on parameters relevant to tumor growth and invasiveness, and on gene expression patterns. Our results revealed that promoted the proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells. Furthermore, it augmented tumor spheroid formation and the ability of tumor spheroids to displace an endothelial cell layer. Finally, altered the expression of numerous genes in HNSCC cells, which were enriched for Gene Ontology terms related to its cellular functions. In summary, represents a novel oncogene in HNSCC that contributes to cellular proliferation and invasiveness.