Fibroblast growth factor receptors are components of autocrine signaling networks in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Purpose: We previously reported that a fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) signaling pathway drives growth of lung cancer cell lines of squamous and large cell histologies. Herein, we explored FGFR dependency in cell lines derived from the tobacco-related malignancy, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Experimental Design: FGF and FGFR mRNA and protein expression was assessed in nine HNSCC cell lines.