Association between areca-stimulated vimentin expression and the progression of head and neck cancers

Background Areca nut chewing is a common oral habit of Asians that is closely associated with the high incidence of head and neck carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impacts of areca nut chewing on neoplastic process of head and neck carcinoma. Methods Head and neck carcinoma cells were treated with areca nut extract to perceive the phenotypic impacts. Tumor tissues were analyzed with immunohistochemistry (IHC) to understand the association between areca-associated molecular changes and clinical variables. Results Upon treatment with areca nut extract, carcinoma cells showed the increase of vimentin. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cyclooxygenase (COX)-2/prostaglandin (PGE)-2 cascade underlay the upregulation. These cells also exhibited the enhancement of migration and invasion. By knocking down COX-2 and vimentin expression, the increase of cell mobility was reversed. Tumor exhibiting extensive vimentin and/or COX-2 expression displayed a significantly worse disease-associated survival than contrast groups. Conclusion Areca-modulated vimentin expression enhanced the progression of head and neck carcinoma.