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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
Published on: May 11, 2016
Association between areca-stimulated vimentin expression and the progression of head and neck cancers
Yu-Hsin Tseng1, Kuo-Wei Chang, Cheng-Chieh Yang
1Institute of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
Areca nut chewing is a common oral habit of Asians that is closely associated with the high incidence of head and neck carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of areca nut chewing on neoplastic process of head and neck carcinoma.
Methods:
Head and neck carcinoma cells were treated with areca nut extract to perceive the phenotypic impacts. Tumor tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry (IHC) to understand the association between areca-associated molecular changes and clinical variables.
Results:
Upon treatment with areca nut extract, carcinoma cells showed the increase of vimentin. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cyclooxygenase (COX)-2/prostaglandin (PGE)-2 cascade underlay the upregulation. These cells also exhibited the enhancement of migration and invasion. By knocking down COX-2 and vimentin expression, the increase of cell mobility was reversed. Tumor exhibiting extensive vimentin and/or COX-2 expression displayed a significantly worse disease-associated survival than contrast groups.
Conclusion:
Areca-modulated vimentin expression enhanced the progression of head and neck carcinoma.
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