EGFR-targeted mAb therapy modulates autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through NLRX1-TUFM protein complex.

ABSTRACT: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients frequently results in tumor resistance to treatment. Autophagy is an emerging underlying resistance mechanism, however, the molecular autophagy machinery in HNSCC cells and potential biomarkers of patient response to EGFR-targeted therapy remain insufficiently characterized. Here we show that the EGFR blocking with cetuximab leads to varied autophagic responses, which modulate cancer cell susceptibility to EGFR inhibition. Inhibition of autophagy sensitizes HNSCC cells to EGFR blockade. Importantly, we identify a novel signaling hub centering on the NLRX1 (nucleotide-binding, lots of leucine-rich repeats-containing protein member X1)-TUFM (Tu translation elongation factor mito

SUBMITTER: Lei Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5257174 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature