2. Academic Validation
  3. Tumor potential biomarker: ferritin heavy chain promotes proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Tumor potential biomarker: ferritin heavy chain promotes proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma

  • Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2026 Mar;141(3):357-366. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2025.09.012.
Wenxue Huang 1,  Menglong Hu 2,  Ye Zhang 3,  Yan Han 4,  Jianxia Hou 5
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Stomatology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
  • 2 Department of Prosthodontics, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
  • 3 Department of Stomatology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
  • 4 Department of Stomatology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5 Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41068021 DOI: 10.1016/j.oooo.2025.09.012
Abstract

Objective: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of common malignancy. Ferritin heavy chain (FTH), plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis and regulates cell proliferation. The aims of this study are to investigate the functions of FTH in the progression of OSCC.

Study design: This study included twenty OSCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissue samples collected from patients who were pathologically diagnosed with OSCC. We detected expression of FTH gene by qRT-PCR. Meanwhile, expression of marker Ki67, cytokeratin, EGFR, P53, P63, and P40 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation assay, wound healing assay, qPCR and western blot were measured after knockdown of the FTH by small interfering RNAs.

Results: Data from the investigation showed that FTH was highly expressed in OSCC tissues. The location of the expression is proliferating epithelial cells, correlated well with the location of Ki67 and P63. Knockdown of FTH inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of SCC15 and CAL27 cell lines. Adhesion molecules including E-Cadherin, Claudin 1, and Collagen were up-regulation after knockdown of FTH.

Conclusion: FTH is overexpressed in OSCC tissues and promotes tumor cell proliferation and invasion. It may be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in prognosis and treatment of patients with OSCC.

Figures
Products
Inhibitors & Agonists
Other Products