The effect of fascin 1 inhibition on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Fascin 1 plays important pro-metastatic roles in head and neck carcinoma (HNSCC) migration, invasion, and metastasis. However, limited advancement in targeting metastasis remains a major obstacle in improving HNSCC patients' survival. Therefore, we assessed the therapeutic potential of fascin 1 targeted inhibition and its potential prognostic value in HNSCC patients.

Effect of Sex Steroid Hormones on Tongue Cancer Cells .

Background: Tongue cancer is more common in men than in women. Yet the effects of sex steroid hormones on the behaviour of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) are not well known. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8) is expressed in OTSCC and can degrade estrogen receptors (ERs).

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells do not Affect the Invasion and Migration Potential of Oral Squamous Carcinoma Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are commonly isolated from bone marrow and adipose tissue. Depending on the tissue of origin, MSCs have different characteristics and physiological effects. In various cancer studies, MSCs have been found to have either tumor-promoting or tumor-inhibiting action.

The critical effects of matrices on cultured carcinoma cells: Human tumor-derived matrix promotes cell invasive properties.

The interaction between squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a major role in cancer progression. Therefore, understanding the TME is essential for the development of cancer therapies. We used four (primary and metastatic) head and neck (HN) SCC cell lines and cultured them on top of or within 5 matrices (mouse sarcoma-derived Matrigel®, rat collagen, human leiomyoma-derived Myogel, human fibronectin and human fibrin).

Human Tumor-Derived Matrix Improves the Predictability of Head and Neck Cancer Drug Testing.

In vitro cancer drug testing carries a low predictive value. We developed the human leiomyoma-derived matrix "Myogel" to better mimic the human tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesized that Myogel could provide an appropriate microenvironment for cancer cells, thereby allowing more in vivo-relevant drug testing.

In vitro humanized 3D microfluidic chip for testing personalized immunotherapeutics for head and neck cancer patients.

Objectives: Immunotherapy and personalized medicine therapeutics are emerging as promising approaches in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In spite of that, there is yet no assay that could predict individual response to immunotherapy.

Methods: We manufactured an in vitro 3D microfluidic chip to test the efficacy of immunotherapy.

PCR-based zebrafish model for personalised medicine in head and neck cancer.

Background: Currently, in vivo model for personalised cancer drug testing is challenging. A zebrafish larvae xenograft model has been applied in recent years to cancer research, particularly for drug testing purposes, showing promising results in drug testing against patient-derived tumour xenografts. Currently, these xenograft models apply imaging techniques to measure drug efficacy.

Fully Human Tumor-based Matrix in Three-dimensional Spheroid Invasion Assay.

Two-dimensional cell culture-based assays are commonly used in in vitro cancer research. However, they lack several basic elements that form the tumor microenvironment. To obtain more reliable in vitro results, several three-dimensional (3D) cell culture assays have been introduced.

Increased Energy Expenditure, Lipolysis and Hyperinsulinemia Confer Resistance to Central Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Mice Lacking Alpha2α-Adrenoceptors.

The alpha2A-adrenoceptors (α2A-ARs) are Gi-coupled receptors, which prejunctionally inhibit the release of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (Epi), and postjunctionally inhibit insulin secretion and lipolysis. We have earlier shown that α2A-/- mice display sympathetic hyperactivity, hyperinsulinemia and improved glucose tolerance. Here we employed α2A-/- mice and placed the mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) to test the hypothesis that lack of α2A-ARs protects from diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Organotypic three-dimensional assays based on human leiomyoma-derived matrices.

Alongside cancer cells, tumours exhibit a complex stroma containing a repertoire of cells, matrix molecules and soluble factors that actively crosstalk between each other. Recognition of this multifaceted concept of the tumour microenvironment (TME) calls for authentic TME mimetics to study cancer Traditionally, tumourigenesis has been investigated in non-human, three-dimensional rat type I collagen containing organotypic discs or by means of mouse sarcoma-derived gel, such as Matrigel However, the molecular compositions of these simplified assays do not properly simulate human TME. Here, we review the main properties and benefits of using human leiomyoma discs and their matrix Myogel for assays.

Crosstalk between tongue carcinoma cells, extracellular vesicles, and immune cells in and models.

The crosstalk between immune cells, cancer cells, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by cancer cells remains poorly understood. We created three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models using human leiomyoma discs and Myogel to study the effects of immune cells on highly (HSC-3) and less (SCC-25) invasive oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) cell lines. Additionally, we studied the effects of EVs isolated from these cell lines on the cytotoxicity of CD8 T and NK cells isolated from three healthy donors.

The metabolic syndrome in mice overexpressing neuropeptide Y in noradrenergic neurons.

A gain-of-function polymorphism in human neuropeptide Y () gene (rs16139) associates with metabolic disorders and earlier onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Similarly, mice overexpressing NPY in noradrenergic neurons (OE-NPY) display obesity and impaired glucose metabolism. In this study, the metabolic syndrome-like phenotype was characterized and mechanisms of impaired hepatic fatty acid, cholesterol and glucose metabolism in pre-obese (2-month-old) and obese (4-7-month-old) OE-NPY mice were elucidated.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis of head and neck cancer patients at presentation.

Conclusion: Finnish head and neck cancer (HNC) patients show signs of severe malnutrition already at presentation, measured by bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA). BIA may be a practical method to detect malnutrition, analyze body composition, and to identify high-risk patients in this population.

Objectives: BIA is a validated method for evaluating body composition and detecting malnutrition.