CRISPR Screens Identify PIK3C2A as a Novel Mediator of EGFR Inhibitor Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignancy with poor prognosis and survival. While epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a known driver of HNSCC, EGFR inhibitors show limited efficacy as monotherapies, suggesting that effective combination therapies are needed.

Methods

We performed GeCKO and Kinase CRISPR library screens to identify candidate knockouts that increase EGFR inhibitor sensitivity in resistant HNSCC cells. We validated a candidate using the CellTiter-Glo viability assay following RNA interference and investigated the mechanisms using apoptosis and cell cycle flow cytometry analysis.

Results

Kinase CRISPR library screens identified that PIK3C2A gene downregulation enhanced EGFR inhibitor sensitivity in resistant HNSCC cell

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12797014 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature