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Metastasis is a critical determinant for the treatment strategy and prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, the mechanisms underlying SCCHN metastasis are poorly understood. Our study sought to determine the key microRNA and their functional mechanisms involved in SCCHN metastasis. For The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data analysis, quantitative PCR was used to quantify the level of miR‐30e‐5p in SCCHN and its clinical significance was further analyzed. A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were applied to determine the effects of miR‐30e‐5p and its target AEG‐1 on SCCHN metastasis. A mechanism investigation further revealed that AEG‐1 was implicated in the angiogenesis and metastasis mediated by miR‐30e‐5p. Overall, our study confirms that miR‐30e‐5p is a valuable predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in SCCHN metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin and cetuximab, an anti‑epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal humanized antibody, have been used for treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). It has been demonstrated that cisplatin and inhibition of EGFR signaling may induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‑associated apoptosis. However, ER protein thioredoxin domain‑containing protein 5 (TXNDC5) reportedly protects cells from ER stress‑associated apoptosis. The present study investigated the interaction between cisplatin, cetuximab and TXNDC5 on ER stress‑associated apoptosis in LSCC cells. AMC‑HN‑8 human LSCC cells with or without TXNDC5 overexpression or knockdown were treated with cisplatin (5, 10, 20 and 40 μM) and/or cetuximab (10, 50, 100 and 150 μg/ml), for 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Cisplatin and cetuximab concentrationand time‑dependently increased and decreased the expression of TXNDC5 in AMC‑HN‑8 cells, respectively. Knockdown of TXNDC5 markedly augmented cisplatin‑induced levels of CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), caspase‑3 activity and apoptosis; while overexpression of TXNDC5 largely eliminated cetuximab‑induced levels of CHOP, caspase‑3 activity and apoptosis. Cisplatin and cetuximab demonstrated a combinatorial effect on increasing the levels of CHOP, caspase‑3 activity and apoptosis, which was largely eliminated by overexpression of TXNDC5 or a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger/antagonist. In addition, promoter/luciferase reporter assays revealed that cisplatin and cetuximab regulated the expression of TXNDC5 at the gene transcription/promoter level. In conclusion, the findings suggested that ER stress‑associated apoptosis is a major mechanism underlying the apoptotic effect of cisplatin and cetuximab on LSCC cells; cetuximab enhanced cisplatin‑induced ER stress‑associated apoptosis in LSCC cells largely by inhibiting the expression of TXNDC5 and thereby increasing ROS production; cisplatin and cetuximab had stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the TXNDC5 gene promoter, respectively. The present study offered novel insights into the pharmacological effects of cisplatin and cetuximab on LSCC. It also suggested that TXNDC5 may be a potential therapeutic target for LSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the value of nasal endoscopy assisting combined with transoral approach in resection of the carcinoma of the palate with the nasal cavity and sinuses invaded. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 21 patients with a primary malignant tumors of the palate was performed. Preoperative nasal endoscopy and CT and MRI scan showed that the primary tumors invading the nasal cavity and sinuses in all patients or skull base with varying degrees. All patients were treated by nasal endoscopic assisting combined with transoral approach. Postoprational adjuvant radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy was performed according to pathological types and clinical stage. Postoperative complications, all-tumor resection rate, local control rate and 5-year survival rate were analyzed statistically. Results: The combined approach was successfully performed in all patients. En bloc resection was carried out in 18 patients by this combined approach and surgical margins were free of carcinoma. The median follow-up period was 60 months. All patients had good nasal ventilation function and no epiphora in postoperation, and the overall local control rate of primary site was 85.7%, overall 5-year survival rate was 76.2%. Conclusion: Nasal endoscopy assisting combined with transoral approach is an effective method for the resection of palate malignant tumors invading the nasal cavity and sinuses. It is convenient for en bloc resection and local control of primary lesions. It is beneficial to preserve the function of nasal cavity and sinuses, which is in line with the principle of functional surgery., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.)

Purpose: MicroRNAs function through regulating specific target mRNA expression and then participate in the development and progression of diverse human cancers. MiR-98 shows aberrant expression and dysfunction in tumors. However, its clinical significance and exact role in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) remain elusive., Methods: MiR-98 expression was examined by qRT-PCR and correlated with clinicopathological variables and prognosis in SCCHN patients. Effects of miR-98 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the malignant phenotypes of SCCHN were studied. Finally, the role of target gene metadherin (MTDH) in miR-98 mediated effects were assayed., Results: Our results demonstrated that miR-98, as an endogenous inhibitor of MTDH via directly binding to its 3'-untranslated region (UTR) region, decreased significantly in SCCHN tissues. Decreased miR-98 expression was negatively correlated with T classification, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and a shorter survival status in SCCHN patients. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function analyses confirmed that miR-98 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of SCCHN cells in vitro . Moreover, miR-98 repression led to increased MTDH expression and induced EMT alteration. Importantly, ectopic expression of MTDH partially reversed the effects caused by miR-98 overexpression., Conclusions: Our study identifies that miR-98 serves as a suppressor in SCCHN progression via targeting oncogene MTDH ., Competing Interests: None.

Objective: This study aimd to evaluate the application and clinical effect of improved submental island flap in hypopharyngeal cancer reserved laryngeal function surgery., Method: A retrospective review of clinical data was performed on 38 patients of hypopharyngeal cancer reserved laryngeal function using sumental island flaps, by the way of improving in design of vascular pedicle, reconstructive mode of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal function and closing of wound of neck following hypopharyngeal cancer resection. Meanwhile, the effect and prognosis was comprehensively assessed on patients with hypopharyngeal cancer reserved laryngeal function using improved submental island flaps., Result: The submental flaps kept alive in all 38 cases. During the follow-up period, 18 cases were dead, and of them, 7 cases died of the second primary carcinoma, included 4 cases of esophagus cancer, 1 case of cancer of soft palate, 2 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma; and 5 cases died of cervical or parapharyngeal lymph nodes recurrence; 2 cases died of hepatic metastasis; and 4 cases died of pulmonary metastasis. The overall 5-years survival rate was 52.6%., Conclusion: Improved submental island flap repairing postoperative defect of hypopharyngeal cancer reserved laryngeal function has many advantages including higher success rate, more security, easy and simple to operate as well as good clinical effects, and is worth to widespread using.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most common head and neck cancers. Cisplatin is effective as a single agent or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of TSCC. Treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy has been found to improve the prognosis of patients with TSCC. However, one of the most important clinical issues of cisplatin-based TSCC chemotherapy is the intrinsic/acquired chemoresistance to cisplatin. Increased expression of miR-23a reportedly promotes cisplatin chemoresistance in TSCC cells. High expression of Twist is also associated with cancer chemoresistance and poor prognosis of TSCC patients. In the present study, we explored the interaction between miR-23a and Twist in TSCC cells, and assessed its impact on TSCC chemoresistance to cisplatin. miR-23a and/or Twist were overexpressed or knocked down in SCC-4 and Tca8113 human TSCC cells. The expression levels of miR-23a and Twist were determined. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplatin and cell apoptosis rate under cisplatin treatment were used as measures of cisplatin chemoresistance. Overexpression of miR-23a in both SCC-4 and Tca8113 cells markedly increased Twist expression, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of cisplain, and decreased cisplatin-induced apoptosis, all of which was abolished by knockdown of Twist or selective JNK inhibitor SP600125. On the other hand, knockdown of miR-23a significantly decreased Twist expression, JNK activity and IC50 of cisplain, and increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis, all of which was completely reversed by overexpression of Twist. In conclusion, the present study for the first time demonstrates that miR-23a promotes cisplatin chemoresistance and protects cisplatin-induced apoptosis in TSCC cells through inducing Twist expression by a JNK-dependent mechanism. It adds new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying TSCC chemoresistance.

Ephrin type‑A receptor 2 (EphA2) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is associated with cancer cell metastasis. There has been little investigation into its impact on the regulation of sensitivity to paclitaxel in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In the present study, upregulation of EphA2 expression enhanced the survival of NPC 5‑8F cells, compared with control cells exposed to the same concentrations of paclitaxel. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis demonstrated that over‑expression of EphA2 decreased NPC cancer cell sensitivity to paclitaxel by regulating paclitaxel‑mediated cell cycle progression but not apoptosis in vitro. This was accompanied by alterations in the expression of cyclin‑dependent kinase inhibitors, p21 and p27, and of inactive phosphorylated‑retinoblastoma protein. Furthermore, paclitaxel stimulation and EphA2 over‑expression resulted in activation of the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling pathway in NPC cells. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway restored sensitivity to paclitaxel in 5‑8F cells over‑expressing EphA2, which indicated that the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in EphA2‑mediated paclitaxel sensitivity. The current study demonstrated that EphA2 mediates sensitivity to paclitaxel via the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in NPC.

Objective: To investigate the synergistic cytotoxicity of TRAIL and paclitaxel on nasopharyngeal cell lines CNE-1 and CNE-2., Method: CCK-8 assays the growth inhibition rate of CNE-1 and CNE-2 which was treated with TRAIL or paclitaxel or combination of both. Flow cytometry tests the apoptosis rate of CNE-1 and CNE-2 which was treated with TRAIL or paclitaxel or combination of each other., Result: In certain range of time and concentration,TRAIL and paclitaxel inhibited the growth of the cell lines of CNE-1 and CNE-2 in a time-dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). The rate of growth inhibition and apoptosis in TRAIL and paclitaxel combinative group was more significant than that in the TRAIL and paclitaxel singular group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: TRAIL and paclitaxel had a synergistic killing effect on NPC cell lines and showed better affection than singular group, which provides a novel and prospective strategy for NPC chemotherapy.

Objective: To investigate the expression and biological significance of HMGB1 and VEGF protein in tissue specimens of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and further study the correlation between HMGB1 and VEGF protein., Method: The expression of HMGB1 and VEGF protein was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining in 69 cases of LSCC specimens and 15 cases of adjacent epithelial tissue samples, and futher correlated with clinicopathologic parameters., Result: The positive rates of HMGB1 and VEGF in LSCC tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent non-cancerous mucosa (P < 0.01), and the expression of these two marks was closely correlated with clinical stage (P < 0.05) and metastasis (P < 0.05) in LSCC. While the expression of HMGB1 and VEGF had no significant correlations with age, sex, histological differentiation and tumor site (P > 0. 05). There was a positive correlation between the expression of HMGB1 and VEGF (P < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with strong expression of HMGB1 or VEGF had poorer overall survival compared with that in patients with relative low HMGB1 or VEGF expression (P < 0.05). Multivariate COX regression analysis revealed that both lymph node metastasis and HMGB1 expression were independent prognostic factors for patients with LSCC., Conclusion: This study demonstrated that HMGB1 and VEGF protein overexpression were closely associated with clinical stage, metastasis and poorer prognosis in patients with LSCC. Increased expression of these two proteins in LSCC suggested that HMGB1 and VEGF might play a critical role in the initiation and progression of LSCC.