RUNX3 Has an Oncogenic Role in Head and Neck Cancer

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005892
• Publication Date: 2009-06-11T20:16:16Z
• Authors: Takaaki Tsunematsu; Yasusei Kudo; Shinji Iizuka; Ikuko Ogawa; Tsuyoshi Fujita; Hidemi Kurihara; Yoshimitsu Abiko; Takashi Takata
• Keywords: Ectopic expression

Background Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a tumor suppressor of cancer and appears to be an important component the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)-induced suppression pathway. Surprisingly, we found that RUNX3 expression level in head neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissues, which one most common types human cancer, was higher than normal tissues by previously published microarray dataset our preliminary study. Therefore, here examined oncogenic role HNSCC. Principal Findings Frequent its correlation with malignant behavior were observed Ectopic overexpression promoted inhibited serum starvation-induced apoptosis chemotherapeutic drug induced HNSCC cells. These findings confirmed knockdown. Moreover, enhanced tumorsphere formation. well correlated methylation status low due promoter oral epithelial Conclusions/Significance Our suggest i) has HNSCC, ii) may caused part demethylation during development, iii) can useful marker for predicting effect drugs