Role of Neuropeptide Signals Induced Metastasis of Hypopharyngeal Cancer

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Distant metastasis is a major factor associated with poor prognosis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (HSCC), but little is known of its molecular mechanisms. New markers that predict clinical outcome, in particular the ability of primary tumors to develop metastatic tumors, are urgently needed. We narrowed our focus to the analysis of the neurotensin (NT) and neurotensin receptor (NTR) oncogenic signal pathways. In HSCC cells, which expressed NTR, a NT agonist promoted cellular invasion, migration and induction of several mRNAs, such as interleukin 8 and matrix metalloproteinase 1 transcripts. Our findings suggest a critical role for the NT and NTR oncogenic pathways in invasion and migration of HSCC cells during the metastatic process. Our study raises the possibility that NT and NTR could be a useful predictive marker of poor prognosis in patients with HSCC.