Telocinobufagin, a PLK1 suppressor that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis by modulating CDC25c and CTCF in HNSCC cells.

Background: The high metastasis and mortality rates of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) urgently require new treatment targets and drugs. A steroidal component of ChanSu, telocinobufagin (TBG), was verified to have anti-cancer effects in various tumors, but its activity and mechanism in anti-HNSCC were still unknown.

Purpose: This study tried to demonstrate the anti-tumor effect of TBG on HNSCC and verify its potential mechanism.