Modulation of Tumor Cell Growth In Vivo by Extracellular Matrix Metalloprotease Inducer

Objective: To investigate if loss of extracellular matrix metalloprotease inducer (EMMPRIN) will inhibit the growth of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor cell lines in vivo. Tumor cell-derived EMMPRIN is highly overexpressed in HNSCC and is thought to be induced by surrounding fibroblasts to stimulate matrix metalloproteases, which modulate tumor cell invasion, growth, and angiogenesis. Design: In vivo study using FaDu tumor xenografts. Setting: Academic research facility. Subjects: Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Interventions: The HNSCC cell line FaDu was transfected with EMMPRIN (FaDu/E), control vector (FaDu), or plasmid-expressing small-interfering RNA against EMMPRIN (FaDu/siE). Tumor cells combined with fibroblast cells were xenografted onto the flank of SCID mice. Tumors were measured biweekly over 4 weeks, at which time the mice were killed, and tumor samples were analyzed for proliferation (Ki-67 immunohistochemical analysis), vascularization (factor VIII staining), and apoptosis TUNEL [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling] assay). Main Outcome Measure: Growth of head and neck cancer cell lines genetically engineered to express variable levels of EMMPRIN. Results: Tumor growth positively correlated and animal survival negatively correlated with increasing EMMPRIN expression. FaDu/E tumor growth was significantly larger at 4 weeks compared with FaDu tumors (P=.006). Similarly, the control vector transfected FaDu tumors were significantly larger than FaDu/siE (P<.001). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated increased Ki-67 in EMMPRIN-transfected cells, without a significant change in the rate of apoptosis between groups. Vascular density and tumor formation rate also increased significantly with EMMPRIN expression. Conclusion: This study suggests that anti-EMMPRIN targeted therapy may prove to be a novel treatment option in HNSCC.