Pepsin promotes laryngopharyngeal neoplasia by modulating signaling pathways to induce cell proliferation

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227408
• Publication Date: 2020-01-15T18:48:48Z
• Authors: Kai Niu; Chunjie Guo; Shiyong Teng; Dandan Zhou; Shuyuan Yu; Wanzhong Yin; Ping Wang; Wei Zhu; Maoli Duan
• Keywords: Pepsin; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux

Pepsin plays an important role in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), a risk factor for the development of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (HPSCC). However, pepsin HPSCC is not clear. We show by immunohistochemistry that positivity occurs significant proportion human primary specimens, and many cases matched adjacent uninvolved epithelia are negative pepsin. associated with nodal involvement, suggesting may have metastasis. Treatment FaDu cancer cells increased proliferation, possibly inducing G1/S transition. also observed changes expression genes involved NF-kappaB, TRAIL Notch signaling. Our data suggest targeting could potential therapeutic benefits.