Treatment of primary nasal tuberculosis with anti-tumor necrosis factor immunotherapy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Primary nasal tuberculosis (TB) is a rare form of extrapulmonary TB, particularly in patients receiving anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) immunotherapy. As a result, its diagnosis remains challenging. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old male patient presented to the ear, nose, and throat department with right-sided nasal obstruction and bloody discharge for 1 month. He was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and received anti-TNF immunotherapy for 3 years prior to presentation. Biopsy findings revealed chronic granulomatous inflammation and a few acid-fast bacilli, suggestive of primary nasal TB. He was referred to our TB management department for treatment with oral anti-TB agents. After 9 months, the nasal lesions had disappeared. No recurrence was noted during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of primary nasal TB should be considered in patients receiving TNF antagonists who exhibit thickening and crusting of the nasal septum mucosa or inferior turbinate, particularly when pathological findings suggest granulomatous inflammation.

Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain infection in China: A national multicenter survey of 35,566 individuals.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the epidemiology of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to COVID-19 in China. Methods: This study was conducted by 45 tertiary Grade-A hospitals in China. Online and offline questionnaire data were obtained from patients infected with COVID-19 between December 28, 2022, and February 21, 2023. The collected information included basic demographics, medical history, smoking and drinking history, vaccination history, changes in olfactory and gustatory functions before and after infection, and other postinfection symptoms, as well as the duration and improvement status of olfactory and gustatory disorders. Results: Complete questionnaires were obtained from 35,566 subjects. The overall incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunction was 67.75%. Being female or being a cigarette smoker increased the likelihood of developing olfactory and taste dysfunction. Having received four doses of the vaccine or having good oral health or being a alcohol drinker decreased the risk of such dysfunction. Before infection, the average olfactory and taste VAS scores were 8.41 and 8.51, respectively; after infection, they decreased to 3.69 and 4.29 and recovered to 5.83 and 6.55 by the time of the survey. The median duration of dysosmia and dysgeusia was 15 and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% of patients having symptoms lasting for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate was 59.16%. Recovery was higher in males, never smokers, those who received two or three vaccine doses, and those that had never experienced dental health issues, or chronic accompanying symptoms. Conclusions: The incidence of dysosmia and dysgeusia following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is high in China. Incidence and prognosis are influenced by several factors, including sex, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, history of head-facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking and drinking history, and the persistence of accompanying symptoms.

Parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal infections in children: Kawasaki disease needs vigilance.

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki Disease (KD) may mimic Parapharyngeal (PPI) and Retropharyngeal Infections (RPI), leading to misdiagnosis as Deep Neck Infections (DNIs). The treatment plans for the two diseases are different, and delayed treatment can lead to serious complications. Therefore, prompt diagnosis and management are necessary. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical features of KD mimicking DNIs and explore the treatment options. METHODS: Children with cellulitis or abscess in parapharyngeal or retropharyngeal space in neck CT were included in this study. The medical records of enrolled children were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In total, 56 children were diagnosed with PPI or/and RPI. Twenty-two (39.3%) participants were eventually diagnosed with KD, and 34 (60.7%) were diagnosed with DNIs. Compared with the DNIs group, the KD group had a higher body temperature (p=0.007), and higher levels of AST (p=0.040), ALT (p=0.027), and ESR (p=0.030). Deep cervical cellulitis (p=0.005) were more common in the KD group. However, deep neck abscess often occurred in the DNIs group (p=0.002), with parapharyngeal abscess being the most common type of abscess (p=0.004). The KD mimicking DNIs cases did not respond to antibiotic treatment, but symptoms significantly improved after the use of Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin. CONCLUSION: Children with KD may exhibit retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal inflammation in the early stages. KD should be considered a differential diagnosis for children with DNIs, high fever, and no response to antibiotic therapy. Surgery in KD mimicking deep neck abscess requires caution. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

The role of radiotherapy in tumor immunity and the potential of PET/CT in detecting the expression of PD-1/PD-L1.

Upregulation of PD-1/PD-L1 allows cancer cells to escape from host immune systems by functionally inactivating T-cell immune surveillance. Clinical blockade strategies have resulted in an increased prevalence of patients with late-stage cancers. However, many cancer patients had limited or no response to current immunotherapeutic strategies. Therefore, how to improve the sensitivity of immunotherapy has become the focus of attention of many scholars. Radiotherapy plays a role in the recruitment of T cells in the tumor microenvironment, increases CD4 + and CD8 + T cells, and increases PD-L1 expression, resulting in the synergistically enhanced antitumor effect of irradiation and PD-L1 blockade. Radiotherapy can cause changes in tumor metabolism, especially glucose metabolism. Tumor glycolysis and tumor immune evasion are interdependent, glycolytic activity enhances PD-L1 expression on tumor cells and thus promotes anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy response. Therefore, the mechanism of radiotherapy affecting tumor immunity may be partly through intervention of tumor glucose metabolism. Furthermore, some authors had found that the uptake of 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose(18F-FDG) was correlated with PD-1/PD-L1 expression. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a non-invasive detection method for PD-1/PD-L1 expression and has several potential advantages over immunohistochemical (IHC), PET/CT can dynamically reflect the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 inside the tumor and further guide clinical treatment.

Enhanced Mitophagy in Cholesteatoma Epithelial Cells.

HYPOTHESIS: Mitophagy may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma. BACKGROUND: Enhanced mitophagy has been proven to be involved in various cancers. However, its role in the pathogenesis of cholesteatoma, which shares some common features with cancer, is controversial. This study investigated mitophagy in cholesteatoma epithelial cells. METHODS: The autophagy protein markers LC3-II and p62 and mitophagy proteins BNIP3, Parkin, and PINK1 were analyzed in cholesteatoma epithelial cells and external auditory canal epithelium cells by immunoblotting. The results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Adenovirus Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3B and Ad-GFP-LC3B were used to evaluate autophagic activity. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe and analyze autophagosomes. RESULTS: LC3-II expression was increased in cholesteatoma cells, whereas soluble and insoluble p62 levels were decreased. The expressions of BNIP3, Parkin, and PINK1 were higher in total protein and mitochondrial protein of cholesteatoma cells compared with normal external auditory canal epithelium cells. Autophagic activity was increased in cholesteatoma cells compared with normal external auditory canal epithelium cells. CONCLUSION: Mitophagy was enhanced in cholesteatoma epithelial cells and may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of acquired cholesteatoma.

Pepsin Increases the Proliferation of Vocal Cord Leukoplakia Epithelial Cells by Inducing Autophagy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of H+ /K+ ATPase in the proliferation of pepsin-induced vocal cord leukoplakia (VCL) cells. STUDY DESIGN: Translation research. SETTING: Affiliated Hospital of University. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect pepsin, H+ /K+ ATPase (ATP4A and ATP4B subunits) in VCL cells with varying degrees of dysplasia. After primary cultures of VCL cells had been established, the effects of acidified pepsin on the proliferation, autophagy, and H+ /K+ -ATPase distribution of VCL cells were investigated. RESULTS: The levels of pepsin, ATP4A, and ATP4B were significantly higher in VCL tissue with moderate-to-severe dysplasia than in normal tissue (p < .05); these levels gradually increased according to dysplasia severity. The expression levels of ATP4A and ATP4B were significantly correlated with the amount of pepsin in VCL cells (p < .01). Acidified pepsin enhanced the levels of proliferation and autophagy in human VCL epithelial cells. The cloning- and autophagy-promoting effects of acidified pepsin on VCL cells were partially reversed by pantoprazole; these effects were completely blocked by the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine. Finally, acidified pepsin promoted the colocalization of H+ /K+ -ATPase and lysosomes in VCL cells; it also mediated lysosome acidification. CONCLUSION: Pepsin and H+ /K+ -ATPase may contribute to the progression of VCL. Specifically, acidified pepsin may regulate lysosome acidification by promoting lysosomal localization of H+ /K+ -ATPase.

Multiple Thyroglossal Duct Cysts: Clinical Experience and Literature Review.

Thyroglossal duct cysts (TDCs) are generally single cyst, multiple TDCs are rare. We describe a case of multiple TDCs, discuss its characteristic features and management, and provide a review of the literature, to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. We report an extremely rare case of multiple TDCs containing five cysts, together with a review of the relevant English medical literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of TDCs containing more than three cysts in the anterior cervical region. The five cysts were completely excised in a Sistrunk operation. Histological examination of the cystic lesions revealed TDCs. The patient recovered well and no recurrence was found during the 6-year of follow-up. Multiple TDCs are extremely rare, and may be misdiagnosed as a single cyst. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of multiple thyroglossal duct cysts. Adequate preoperative radiological examinations should be performed, and careful interpretation of the CT or MRI scans is important to diagnosis and surgery.

Fibroblast-epithelial metabolic coupling in laryngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the Fibroblast-epithelial metabolic coupling among laryngeal cancers and its prognostic roles METHODS: We reviewed the clinical information of patients with laryngeal cancer in our department. Paraffin-embedded tissues from included patients were immune-stained with antibodies towards MCT4 and TOMM20 and evaluated for stromal and epithelial expression. Survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were applied to investigate the prognostic factor of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. TCGA database was used to validate our result. RESULTS: Stromal MCT4 and TOMM20 were both significantly associated with each other among laryngeal cancer tissues. High expression of both Stromal MCT4 and TOMM20 is related to poor prognosis in laryngeal cancer. Stromal MCT4 expression was an independent prognostic indicator for laryngeal cancer. Furthermore, cancer cell MCT4 expression has no relationship with the clinical characteristics of laryngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that the phenomenon of metabolic symbiosis was exist in the laryngeal cancer tissue. In addition, TOMM20 and stromal MCT4 could be used as new therapeutic targets for laryngeal cancer.

Epstein-Barr virus-associated leiomyosarcoma of the larynx in an adult patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: Case report and review of the literature.

We investigated the clinical features, treatment, and prognosis of laryngeal leiomyosarcoma (LLMS) and Epstein-Barr virus-associated (EBV-associated) LMS. We report a case of EBV-associated LLMS in an adult patient with HIV infection. We also conducted a review of the English-language literature on LLMS and EBV-associated leiomyosarcoma. To the best of our knowledge, 62 cases of LLMS and EBV-associated leiomyosarcoma have been reported to date. Of patients with LLS, 18.9% had distant metastases and 17.0% had local recurrence. The overall 5-year survival rate was 64.0%. Distant metastases affected the survival of patients with LLMS (p = 0.04). EBV-positive patients had a low survival rate (p = 0.01). Among patients with EBV-associated LMS, 8.2% had distant metastases and recurrence and the overall 5-year survival rate was 50.0%. EBV-associated LLMS is rare. The EBV infection might be a poor prognostic factor of LLMS.

Transcervical Exploration via the Posterolateral Approach to Extract a Fishbone Embedded in the Paraglottic Space.

Ingested foreign bodies occasionally migrate to the paraglottic space. The external transcervical approach is almost always required to extract completely embedded foreign bodies. We report a case of an ingested fishbone embedded in the paraglottic space, which was successfully removed through transcervical exploration of the paraglottic space via the posterolateral approach. The posterolateral approach is safe and effective for the removal of foreign bodies completely embedded in the paraglottic space.

Thyroglossal duct cyst with hoarseness as the sole symptom and an intralaryngeal extension masquerading as a laryngeal mass: Clinical experience and literature review.

A thyroglossal duct cyst is the most common congenital disease in the neck. There are two age groups usually associated with thyroglossal duct cysts: 1-11 years in children and 30-60 years in adults. These midline neck masses are typically located anteriorly in the neck, inferior to the hyoid bone. We report an extremely rare case of an intralaryngeal thyroglossal duct cyst without a neck mass, presenting with hoarseness as the sole symptom. A 64-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of hoarseness. On physical examination, no neck mass or swelling was observed during cervical palpation. Laryngostroboscopy revealed a large submucosal mass in the right glottis and supraglottis, and mobility of the right vocal cord was restricted. Surgery was performed via an external approach to completely resect the cyst, together with the middle part of the hyoid bone. Histopathologic examination of the cyst led to a diagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst. The patient recovered well and his voice returned to normal. Attention should be paid to the occurrence of rare types of thyroglossal duct cyst in unusual clinical sites. Adequate radiological examinations should be performed, and reading the computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scans carefully before surgery is important to avoid misdiagnosis.

Angioleiomyoma of the Epiglottis Mimicking Epiglottic Hemangioma: Clinical Experience and Literature Review.

We describe a case of laryngeal angioleiomyoma, discuss its characteristic features and management, and provide a review of the literature, to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. We report the oldest patient with a laryngeal angioleiomyoma to date and analyze the clinicopathological features reported in the literature. To the best of our knowledge, a total of 36 cases have been described in the English and Chinese medical literature (including our case). The male-to-female ratio was 5:1 and the mean age was 53.89 years. The most common laryngeal site was the supraglottic region (23 cases; 63.89%), followed by the subglottic region (8 cases; 22.22%), and glottis (5 cases; 13.89%). The most common and serious intra- and postoperative complication was massive bleeding. Angioleiomyoma is a benign tumor that rarely occurs in the larynx. Biopsy of this lesion should not be performed; complete surgical resection is the best treatment. Recurrence and malignant transformation are extremely rare.

Effect of Glut-1 and HIF-1α double knockout by CRISPR/CAS9 on radiosensitivity in laryngeal carcinoma via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Hypoxic resistance is the main obstacle to radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma. Our previous study indicated that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut-1) double knockout reduced tumour biological behaviour in laryngeal carcinoma cells. However, their radioresistance mechanism remains unclear. In this study, cell viability was determined by CCK8 assay. Glucose uptake capability was evaluated by measurement of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose radioactivity. A tumour xenograft model was established by subcutaneous injection of Tu212 cells. Tumour histopathology was determined by haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL assays. Signalling transduction was evaluated by Western blotting. We found that hypoxia induced radioresistance in Tu212 cells accompanied by increased glucose uptake capability and activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR activity abolished hypoxia-induced radioresistance and glucose absorption. Mechanistic analysis revealed that hypoxia promoted higher expressions of HIF-1α and Glut-1. Moreover, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway was a positive mediator of HIF-1α and/or Glut-1 in the presence of irradiation. HIF-1α and/or Glut-1 knockout significantly reduced cell viability, glucose uptake and PI3K/Akt/mTOR activity, all of which were induced by hypoxia in the presence of irradiation. In vivo analysis showed that knockout of HIF-1α and/or Glut-1 also inhibited tumour growth by promoting cell apoptosis, more robustly compared with the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin, particularly in tumours with knockout of both HIF-1α and Glut-1. HIF-1α and/or Glut-1 knockout also abrogated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling transduction in tumour tissues, in a manner similar to wortmannin. HIF-1α and/or Glut-1 knockout facilitated radiosensitivity in laryngeal carcinoma Tu212 cells by regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Roles Played by the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α Pathway and IL-17A in the Chinese Subtype of Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps.

BACKGROUND: The Chinese subtype of CRSwNP may have a unique pathogenesis. This study was designed to seek the role of the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway and IL-17A in CRSwNP. METHODS: The total IgE, ECP, and IL-17A levels were determined by UniCAP100 and ELISA. The activity of MPO was detected by the biochemical techniques. The protein expressions of HIF-1α, p-Akt, and PI3K were detected by the WB method. HIF-1α and IL-17A mRNA levels were measured by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The CRSwNP group showed significantly elevated MPO activity, PI3K, p-AKT protein, HIF-1α, and IL-17A mRNA levels in nasal polyps. Stimulated by the TNF-α, the PI3K, p-AKT, HIF-1α, and IL-17A levels significantly elevated in the fibroblasts. Inhibited by the Wortmannin, those indicators significantly declined in the fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: The PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway played a role in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP. The elevated IL-17A level might be responsible for the neutrophilic inflammation in CRSwNP. The PI3K/Akt/HIF-1α pathway might regulate the IL-17A-related inflammation in CRSwNP.

The role of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression in hyperplasia of mice laryngeal epithelium induced by pepsin.

PURPOSE: To explore the role played by Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase in pepsin-induced, mouse laryngeal epithelial proliferation, growth, and development. METHODS: We established a mouse model of laryngopharyngeal reflux and measured Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression levels in mouse laryngeal epithelium treated with artificial gastric juice containing pepsin. RESULTS: Artificial pepsin-containing gastric juice induced significant hyperplastic changes in mouse laryngeal epithelium compared to control mice at 15, 30, and 45 days. Inhibition of Glut-1 expression by 2-DG significantly suppressed such hyperplasia compared to mice exposed to artificial gastric juice containing pepsin at 15, 30, and 45 days. After treatment with pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice, RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the levels of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase α, ß increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice promoted mouse laryngeal epithelial hyperplasia associated with abnormal expression of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase α, ß.

Role and mechanism of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression in pepsin-induced development of vocal cord leukoplakia.

PURPOSE: We investigated the role of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression in pepsin-induced development of human vocal cord leukoplakia cells (HVCLCs). Next, we analyzed the relationship between Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression with the clinicopathological features of laryngeal carcinoma. METHODS: Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase expression levels in HVCLCs were determined after treatment with artificial gastric juice containing pepsin and laryngeal carcinoma tissues. RESULTS: Exposure to pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice significantly enhanced the migration and proliferation of VSCLCs in a time-dependent manner. The apoptotic rate of VSCLCs decreased over time after exposure to pepsin and reached a nadir on day 7 (p < 0.01). With increasing duration of exposure to pepsin, the proportion of VSCLCs in G0/G1 phase decreased and the proportions in the S and G2/M phases significantly increased (p < 0.05). After treatment with pepsin-containing artificial gastric juice, RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase α, ß significantly increased in HVCLCs compared to in the absence of pepsin (p < 0.05). The expression of Glut-1 and H+/K+-ATPase α, ß gradually increased from vocal cord leukoplakia (VLC) to laryngeal carcinoma (p < 0.05). Lentivirus-mediated inhibition of Glut-1 expression in VCL significantly inhibited the cells' migration and proliferation (p < 0.05) but enhanced their apoptosis (p < 0.05). Also, inhibition of Glut-1 expression resulted in an increased proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase and a significantly decreased proportion in G2/M phase (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Glut-1 expression may promote the development of VCL by upregulating laryngeal H+/K+-ATPase expression to reactivate absorbed pepsin, thus damaging the laryngeal mucosa.

The role of cancer stromal fibroblasts in mediating the effects of tobacco-induced cancer cell growth.

Tobacco products cause a variety of cancers, nicotine and carcinogens are two major factors to link the tobacco products and various cancers. The mechanism of tobacco inducing carcinogenesis and promoting cancer progression have been studied for a long time. However, mainstream studies just focus on the mutagenic characteristics of tobacco product and its properties to induce carcinogenesis of epithelial cells. In the past decades, people began to aware of the significant role of tumor stroma in cancer development and progression. Fibroblasts, which is associated with various cancer in all stage of disease progression, are the dominant cell type in the tumor microenvironment. While only a few studies explore the crosstalk between tobacco-induced fibroblasts and surrounding epithelial cells. Our purpose is to systematically review the effects of tobacco products on fibroblasts and further discuss how these effects affect the development of cancer cells.

Targeted Inhibition of HK-II Reversed the Warburg Effect to Improve the Radiosensitivity of Laryngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Hexokinase-II (HK-II) is the key enzyme in the first rate-limiting step of glycolysis that catalyzes the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. Here, we examined the association between HK-II expression and radioresistance in laryngeal carcinoma and whether the inhibition of HK-II expression can enhance the radiosensitivity of these tumors. METHODS: The effects of HK-II small interfering RNA (siRNA) on the radiosensitivity of Tu212 cells were examined in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model. Cells were irradiated using a 6-MV linear accelerator. The cell viability, cell survival, proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle of Tu212 cells were evaluated using trypan blue staining, colony formation assays, CCK-8 assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. Oxygen consumption, lactic acid production, glucose consumption, and the ATP level of Tu212 cells were also examined. The expression of glycolytic and regulatory enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle was assessed using Western blotting. RESULTS: The HK-II siRNA and X-ray combination treatment led to a significantly greater reduction of cell viability, inhibition of cell survival and proliferation, increased apoptosis, and increased G2 phase arrest compared to either treatment alone (all, P<0.01). HK-II siRNA increased the oxygen consumption rate of cells, significantly inhibited lactic acid production and glucose consumption, and significantly suppressed the upregulation of HK-II, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), phosphofructokinase platelet (PFKP), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), and citrate synthase (CS) (all, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The inhibition of HK-II by siRNA enhances the radiosensitivity of laryngeal carcinoma Tu212 cells by inhibiting glycolysis and partially inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation.

LAMC2 acts as a novel therapeutic target of cetuximab in laryngeal cancer.

This study was set out to determine the function of LAMC2 in laryngeal cancer (LC). Initially, we identified the expression of LAMC2 in LC cells and tissues using TCGA datasets, GEO datasets (GSE143224), qRT-PCR, and western blot. Besides, we analyzed the correlations between LAMC2 and clinicopathologic features in LC patients. The CCK-8 assays were performed to detect cell viability and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of cetuximab (IC50) in LC cells. We explored the correlations between LAMC2 and EGFR and further explored the regulation mechanism of cetuximab in LC. This study identified a high expression of LAMC2 in LC cells and tissues. The expression levels of LAMC2 were associated with TNM classification, lymph node (LN) metastasis, differentiation, and overall survival (OS). LAMC2 significantly promoted cell proliferation and cell viability. Besides, cetuximab significantly inhibited LAMC2 expression levels. LAMC2 significantly reversed the effect of cetuximab suppressing cell proliferation in LC cells. In conclusion, LAMC2 may act as a novel anti-cancer target in LC.

Radiosensitizing effects of curcumin alone or combined with GLUT1 siRNA on laryngeal carcinoma cells through AMPK pathway-induced autophagy.

In this study, we investigated the ability of curcumin alone or in combination with GLUT1 siRNA to radiosensitize laryngeal carcinoma (LC) through the induction of autophagy. Protein levels in tumour tissues and LC cells were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In vitro, cell proliferation, colony formation assays, cell death and autophagy were detected. A nude mouse xenograft model was established through the injection of Tu212 cells. We found that GLUT1 was highly expressed and negatively associated with autophagy-related proteins in LC and that curcumin suppressed radiation-mediated GLUT1 overexpression in Tu212 cells. Treatment with curcumin, GLUT1 siRNA, or the combination of the two promoted autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy using 6-amino-3-methypourine (3-MA) promoted apoptosis after irradiation or treatment of cells with curcumin and GLUT1 siRNA. 3-MA inhibited curcumin and GLUT1 siRNA-mediated non-apoptotic programmed cell death. The combination of curcumin, GLUT1 siRNA and 3-MA provided the strongest sensitization in vivo. We also found that autophagy induction after curcumin or GLUT1 siRNA treatment implicated in the AMP-activated protein kinase-mTOR-serine/threonine-protein kinase-Beclin1 signalling pathway. Irradiation primarily caused apoptosis, and when combined with curcumin and GLUT1 siRNA treatment, the increased radiosensitivity of LC occurred through the concurrent induction of apoptosis and autophagy.