RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 FOXM1 Promotes Mesothelioma Cell Migration and Invasion via Activation of SMAD Signaling JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 3961 OP 3968 DO 10.21873/anticanres.16583 VO 43 IS 9 A1 ENDO, IHIRO A1 AMATYA, VISHWA JEET A1 KUSHITANI, KEI A1 KAMBARA, TAKAHIRO A1 NAKAGIRI, TETSUYA A1 AOE, KOHEI A1 TAKESHIMA, YUKIO YR 2023 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/43/9/3961.abstract AB Background/Aim: Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) is a transcription factor closely associated with various human malignancies and is considered an attractive target for cancer therapy. Mesothelioma is a malignancy primarily due to asbestos exposure and certain genetic factors, requiring a better understanding of tumorigenesis for improved treatment. Asbestos-exposed human mesothelial cells have been reported to up-regulate FOXM1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Materials and Methods: FOXM1 expression was evaluated in mesothelioma tissues and cell lines. FOXM1 small interfering RNA was transfected into mesothelioma cell lines to analyze its biological functions and regulatory mechanisms. Results: FOXM1 was over-expressed in mesothelioma tissues and cell lines. Knock-down of FOXM1 in mesothelioma cell lines inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These results suggest that up-regulation of FOXM1 expression promotes mesothelioma tumorigenesis and progression. We previously reported that insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of mesothelioma cell lines. In this study, IGF2BP3 knock-down suppressed FOXM1 expression in mesothelioma cell lines. Our results suggest that IGF2BP3, an upstream regulator, contributes to increased FOXM1 expression. Furthermore, IGF2BP3 and FOXM1 knock-down suppressed SMAD signaling by inhibiting SMAD2/3 phosphorylation in mesothelioma cell lines. Conclusion: IGF2BP3/FOXM1 promotes mesothelioma cell migration and invasion via SMAD signaling, highlighting IGF2BP3/FOXM1 as a potential target for mesothelioma treatment.