Survivin/BIRC5 as a novel molecular effector at the crossroads of glucose metabolism and radioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Identifier:  imarina:9362471

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9362471

Authors:  Benaiges, Ester; Ceperuelo-Mallafre, Victoria; Guaita, Sandra; Maymo-Masip, Elsa; Madeira, Ana; Gomez, David; Hernandez, Victor; Vilaseca, Isabel; Merma, Carla; Leon, Xavier; Terra, Ximena; Vendrell, Joan; Aviles-Jurado, Francesc Xavier; Fernandez-Veledo, Sonia

Abstract:
Metabolic reprogramming and abnormal glucose metabolism are hallmarks of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Certain oncogenes can promote cancer-related metabolic changes, but understanding their crosstalk in HNSCC biology and treatment is essential for identifying predictive biomarkers and developing target therapies.We assessed the value of survivin/BIRC5 as a radioresistance factor potentially modulated by glucose for predicting therapeutic sensitivity and prognosis of HNSCC in a cohort of 32 patients. Additionally, we conducted in vitro experiments to explore the role of survivin/BIRC5 in glucose metabolism concerning radiation response.Tumoral BIRC5 expression is associated with serum glucose and predicts locoregional disease-free survival and lower BIRC5 mRNA levels are associated with better outcomes. Upregulation of BIRC5 by radiation depends on glucose levels and provokes a pro-tumoral and radioresistant phenotype in surviving cells.Survivin/BIRC5 might be independently associated with the risk of recurrence in patients with HNSCC.© 2024 The Authors. Head & Neck published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.