The role of bile reflux and its related NF-κB activated pathway in progression of hypopharyngeal squamous cell cancer - PubMed (original) (raw)

Clarence T Sasaki et al. Oral Oncol. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Prognosis for hypopharyngeal cancer is usually poor, and recurrence is common. Identifying new factors or related mechanisms that promote its progression may have clinical implications. Although, recent studies support bile reflux in hypopharyngeal carcinogenesis, it remains to be explored how bile and its related NF-κB activated pathway may further affects its progression in already established hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods: Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) cell lines, FaDu and UMSCC11A, both negative for HPV, were repetitively exposed to bile acids (400 μM) at variable pH points (4.0, 5.5 and 7.0). Immunofluorescence, western blotting, luciferase assay, and qPCR were used to detect NF-κB activation, bcl-2 overexpression and gene expression.

Results: Bile at strongly acidic pH (4.0) potentiated the activation of NF-κB and its related mRNA phenotype in HSCC cells. IL-6, TNF-α, and BCL2 were found among the highest overexpressed genes as was previously found in HSCCs excised from patients with documented biliary reflux. An enhanced transcriptional activity of EGFR, RELA, STAT3, and WNT5Α and higher survival rates were observed in HSCC cells exposed to acidic bile compared to those exposed to bile at weakly acidic or neutral pH.

Conclusion: Our novel findings support the observation that bile reflux has the potential for actively influencing the progression of hypopharyngeal cancer, mediated by NF-κB. In patients with hypopharyngeal cancer and known gastroesophageal reflux disease, antacid therapy may exert a role in furthering control of disease recurrence and progression.

Keywords: Bile acids; Gastroesophageal reflux; Hypopharyngeal cancer; IL6; Laryngopharyngeal reflux; NF-κB; TNF-α.

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest The authors whose names are listed in this article certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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