Gene expression profiles of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

ABSTRACT: Distant metastasis is a major factor associated with poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but little is known of its molecular mechanisms. New markers that predict clinical outcome, in particular the ability of primary tumors to develop metastatic tumors, are urgently needed. Here, we identified neurotensin, highly expressed in HNSCCs in comparison with normal tissues, as an invasion-promoting factor in HNSCC by using microarray analysis of clinical samples. Indeed, neurotensin overexpression associated with lymph node metastasis of neck, and tumors exhibiting neurotensin overexpression had a poor distant metastasis-free survival rate. In HNSCC cells which expressed neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1), neurotensin promoted cellular invasion, migration, and induction of matrix metalloproteinases transcripts. Disruption of NTSR1 signaling by silencing RNA caused the reversion of the invasion of HNSCC cells. By further microarray analysis using neurotensin-treated cells, neurotensin caused increased expression of genes implicated in tumor progression and metastasis including cell growth, migration, invasion, adhesion, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Our findings have revealed a critical role of neurotensin/NTSR1 for invasion and migration in the metastatic process of HNSCC. This study raises the possibility that neurotensin/NTSR1 could be used as a possible predictive marker and a molecular therapeutic target in the antimetastatic strategies of HNSCC. Keywords: Identification of a novel therapeutic target for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE9638 | GEO | 2007/11/24

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA103497

REPOSITORIES: GEO