Role of Keratin-10 in Tumor Progression and Radioresistance of Laryngeal Cancer Cells

Background/Aim: Advanced laryngeal cancer is challenging to treat, and overall survival rates are low. The high rate of disease recurrence contributes significantly to poor outcomes. This study investigated the role of keratin-10 (KRT10), identified through RNA sequencing as a potential target molecule in laryngeal cancer, in the tumor progression and radioresistance of laryngeal cancer cells.

Materials and Methods: RNA sequencing data from 32 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of stage III or IV advanced laryngeal cancer obtained through biopsy were analyzed and a positive association between KRT10 expression and tumor recurrence was observed. We performed in vitro experiments using human laryngeal cancer cell lines (PCl1 and SNU1066) with/without KRT10 knockdown. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed. Cell irradiation was performed to analyze differences in radiosensitivity and cell invasion, migration, and apoptosis were analyzed.

Results: Knockdown of KRT10 expression in laryngeal cancer cell lines with small interfering RNAs significantly reduced cell invasion and migration, but increased apoptosis. KRT10 knockdown also enhanced radiosensitivity, resulting in a higher rate of apoptosis in response to radiation therapy.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that KRT10 plays a crucial role in tumor progression and radioresistance of laryngeal cancer and that KRT10 is a potential therapeutic target. Further studies are needed to validate these results, but to our knowledge, this is the first report of evidence identifying KRT10 as a potential target molecule in laryngeal cancer management.