Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in precancerous keratinocytes promotes neighboring head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma cancer stem cell-like properties and phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor insensitivity.

ABSTRACT: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption that induce a "precancerous field," with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling being a common driver. However, the preclinical effectiveness of PI3K inhibitors has not necessarily translated to remarkable benefit in HNSCC patients. Thus, we sought to determine how precancerous keratinocytes influence HNSCC proliferation, cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance, and response to PI3K inhibitors. We used the NOK keratinocyte cell line as a model of preneoplastic keratinocytes because it harbors two frequent genetic events in HNSCC, CDKN2A promoter methylation and TP53 mutation, but does not form tumors. NOK cell coculture or NOK cell-conditioned media promoted HNSCC proliferation, PI3K in

SUBMITTER: Nguyen KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9233118 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature