We have identified novel genes involved in chemoresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Firstly, we explored the expression profiles of the cisplatin (CDDP) resistant versus parental/sensitive cell lines by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Secondly, we crossed-checked the RNA-seq results with the proteomic profiles of resistant versus sensitive HNSCC cell lines. Six genes from the RNA-seq (CLDN1, MAGEB2, CD24, CEACAM6, IL1B and ISG15) and six genes from the RNA-seq and proteomics crossover (AKR1C3, TNFAIP2, RAB7A, LGALS3BP, PSCA and SSRP1), were selected to be studied by qRT-PCR in 11 HNSCC patients: six resistant and five sensitive to conventional therapy. Interestingly, the high MAGEB2 expression was associated with resistant tumours and is revealed as a novel target to sensitise resistant cells to therapy in HNSCC patients.

Group Leader
Matilde Esther LLeonart Pajarín

Principal Investigator (PI)
Matilde Esther LLeonart Pajarín

Researchers
Yoelsis García-Mayea, Josep Castellvi, Juan Lorente, Sergi Benavente

PhD Students
Cristina Mir, Almudena Sánchez & Marina Bataller

7

PUBLICATIONS

71.4%

%Q1

78

IMPACT FACTOR

11.16

AVERAGE IMPACT FACTOR

SELECTED ARTICLES

Garcia-Mayea Y, Benítez-Álvarez L, Sánchez-García A, Bataller M, Companioni O, Mir C, Benavente S, Lorente J, Canela N, Fernández-Rozadilla C, Carracedo A, LLeonart ME
Transcriptomic and Proteomic Profiles for Elucidating Cisplatin Resistance in Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Cancers (Basel). 2022 Nov 9;14(22):5511.
DOI: doi: 10.3390/cancers14225511
IF: 6.575

LLeonart ME
Understanding RNA-binding proteins.
Semin Cancer Biol. 2022 Nov;86(Pt 3):135-136.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.015.
IF: 17.012

Mir C, Garcia-Mayea Y, LLeonart ME
Targeting the “undruggable”: RNA-binding proteins in the spotlight in cancer therapy.
Semin Cancer Biol. 2022 Nov;86(Pt 3):69-83.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.06.008.
IF: 17.012

Zhao Y, Mir C, Garcia-Mayea Y, Paciucci R, Kondoh H, LLeonart ME
RNA-binding proteins: Underestimated contributors in tumorigenesis.
Semin Cancer Biol. 2022 Nov;86(Pt 3):431-444.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.01.010.
IF: 17.012

Garcia-Mayea Y, Mir C, Carballo L, Sánchez-García A, Bataller M, LLeonart ME
TSPAN1, a novel tetraspanin member highly involved in carcinogenesis and chemoresistance.
Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2022 Jan;1877(1):188674.
DOI: doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188674
IF: 11.414

Definition of key mechanisms of multiresistance of head and neck tumors to chemo- and radiotherapeutic treatments. Identification of new individualized antitumor drugs
Principal Investigator: Matilde E. LLeonart.
Agency: AECC (Fundación Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer)
Funding: 380,000 €
Period: 2016-2022

New therapeutic approaches for HNSCC cancer
Principal Investigator: Matilde E. LLeonart
Agency: ISCIII (Instituto de Salud Carlos III- FIS)
Funding: 183,920 €
Period: 2021-2023

New therapeutic approaches against COVID-19
Principal Investigator: Matilde E. LLeonart
Agency: La Marató TV3
Funding: 161,875 €
Period: 2021-2024

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