BACKGROUND: Slug has been found to promote migration and invasion of many cancer cells, including anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). Thus, targeting Slug expression could provide new approaches for the treatment of patients with ATC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting Slug (Slug siRNA) was used to construct clonal derivatives in the metastatic ATC SW1736 cells. Slug cDNA transfection was used to restore the Slug expression in the Slug siRNA-transfected SW1736 cells (Slug siRNA/SW1736). E-cadherin siRNA was used to inhibit E-cadherin expression in the Slug siRNA/SW1736 cells. The SW1736 cell migration, invasion, and signaling pathway was analyzed in vitro. Furthermore, the stable Slug siRNA-transfected SW1736 clones were used for the lung metastasis assay in an in vivo mouse model.

RESULTS: Targeting Slug expression in SW1736 cells showed a 45% decrease in migration and an 85% decrease in invasiveness in vitro. Knockdown of E-cadherin by E-cadherin siRNA transfection or Slug overexpression by Slug cDNA transfection restored the invasive and migrative ability in SW1736 cells. In addition, we found an 80% decrease in the number of macroscopic lung metastases nodes of mice by in vivo analysis. Western blot assay showed that Slug expression was inhibited and E-cadherin expression was increased in the Slug siRNA-transfected tumors.

CONCLUSIONS: Targeting Slug signaling pathway is effective in preventing lung metastasis in ATC.

Keywords: Cadherins, Head and Neck Neoplasms