Downregulation of HDGF inhibits tumorigenic phenotypes of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing the AKT/mTOR/VEGF pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC), an aggressive HNSCC subtype characterized by high metastatic potential and poor prognosis, frequently overexpresses hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), a factor implicated in tumor progression. This study investigates the functional role of HDGF in HSCC and its regulatory mechanisms involving epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the AKT/mTOR/VEGF signaling pathway.

Methods

Bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data revealed elevated HDGF expression in HSCC tissues, significantly correlating with clinical stage. HDGF expression was depleted in the FaDu HSCC cell line using siRNA. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using CCK-8, wound healing, and Transwell assays, respectively. Western blotting

SUBMITTER: Yang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12635992 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature