Genomic landscape of a metastatic malignant proliferating tricholemmal tumor and its response to PI3K inhibition.

Proliferating tricholemmal tumors (PTTs) are rare benign neoplasms that arise from the outer sheath of a hair follicle. Occasionally, these PTTs undergo malignant transformation to become malignant proliferating tricholemmal tumors (MPTTs). Little is known about the molecular alterations, malignant progression, and management of MPTTs.

LIM-Only Protein 4 (LMO4) and LIM Domain Binding Protein 1 (LDB1) Promote Growth and Metastasis of Human Head and Neck Cancer (LMO4 and LDB1 in Head and Neck Cancer).

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) accounts for more than 300,000 deaths worldwide per year as a consequence of tumor cell invasion of adjacent structures or metastasis. LIM-only protein 4 (LMO4) and LIM-domain binding protein 1 (LDB1), two directly interacting transcriptional adaptors that have important roles in normal epithelial cell differentiation, have been associated with increased metastasis, decreased differentiation, and shortened survival in carcinoma of the breast. Here, we implicate two LDB1-binding proteins, single-stranded binding protein 2 (SSBP2) and 3 (SSBP3), in controlling LMO4 and LDB1 protein abundance in HNSCC and in regulating specific tumor cell functions in this disease.

Viable biobanking of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the feasibility of viable storage of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for regrowth of cells in culture.

Study Design: Laboratory-based translational study.

Methods: Methods for intermediate-term frozen storage of viable HNSCC were explored using small pieces of primary tumor and dissociated HNSCC cells after short-term culture.

Human-in-mouse modeling of primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: To develop a reliable modeling system for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Study Design: Laboratory-based translational study.

Methods: HNSCC tissue was obtained from patients at biopsy/resection, cultured, and implanted into mice.