Objectives: FOXA2 gene methylation links to the progression of cancers, but has not been documented in oral cancer. Herein, we explore the role of FOXA2 in the migration of oral cancer cells. Material and Methods:Methylation-specific PCR was applied for gene methylation.Wound healing and transwell experiments were tested for cell migration. FOXA2 expression in oral cancer tissues was addressed by immunohistochemistry, followed by statistical analysis of its association with clinical manifestations and patient survival.Results: FOXA2 bound to the promoter of CDH1 and enhanced the expression of its gene product E-cadherin, and decreased the cancer cell migration activity. High FOXA2 expression in oral cancer tissues was associated with high E-cadherin expression, decreased lymph node metastasis, and increased patient survival. Conclusion: FOXA2-E-cadherin link is involved in regulation of oral cancer cell metastasis and provides a new insight for the tumor suppressor activity of FOXA2 in oral cancer. K E Y W O R D S cell migration, E-cadherin, FOXA2, gene methylation, oral cancer | 757 BOW et al.

ObjectivesPreviously, we demonstrated that IL17RB plays an essential role in lung cancer progression. This study aimed to determine whether IL17RB correlates with oral cancer and promotes oral cancer progression.Subjects and MethodsIL17RB expression in oral cancer tissues and normal tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry staining, while the association of IL17RB expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients was analyzed and its correlation with progression‐free survival and response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in OSCC patients was also explored. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression of IL17RB in various OSCC cell lines; moreover, transwell assay was performed to evaluate the effect of IL17RB expression on cell migration ability.ResultsIn this study, we found that IL17RB was expressed higher in OSCC tissues compared to normal oral mucosa tissues and its expression was positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, advanced cancer stage, and poor prognosis. In vitro study showed that IL17RB expression in OSCC cell lines as determined by Western blotting, was positively correlated with their migration ability.ConclusionClinical and in vitro studies suggest that IL17RB might serve as an independent risk factor and a therapeutic target for oral cancer.