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  3. Dihydroartemisinin inhibited tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression and tongue-to-lymph node metastasis through inhibiting RalB expression

Dihydroartemisinin inhibited tongue squamous cell carcinoma progression and tongue-to-lymph node metastasis through inhibiting RalB expression

  • Acta Histochem. 2025 Sep;127(3):152276. doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2025.152276.
Yuman Zhang 1,  Yuting Gao 2,  Yanli Gong 3,  Yanguang Yang 4,  Yi Gong 5,  Xiaoyong Song 6,  Yajun Xiong 7,  Dan Wang 8,  Zhihan Liu 9,  Xinli Shi 10
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China. Electronic address: zhangyuman62@sina.com.
  • 2 Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: gyt@sxtcm.edu.cn.
  • 3 Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: 19834009336@163.com.
  • 4 Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China. Electronic address: 986898472@qq.com.
  • 5 Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China. Electronic address: 254011952@qq.com.
  • 6 Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: 2696304313@qq.com.
  • 7 Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: 3243939756@qq.com.
  • 8 Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: w15243667553@163.com.
  • 9 Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: 1213127599@qq.com.
  • 10 Department of Pathobiology and Immunology, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China; Laboratory of Integrated Medicine Tumor Immunology, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan 030000, China. Electronic address: sxlsunshine@sina.com.
PMID: 40592008 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2025.152276
Abstract

Background: Lymph node metastasis is a key determinant of the poor survival rate in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Therefore, inhibiting lymph node metastasis is a primary strategy for TSCC treatment. Our previous research found that dihydroartemisinin (DHA) inhibited the migration in human tongue squamous carcinoma Cal-27 cells. However, the effect and mechanism of DHA on lymph node metastasis are unknown in TSCC.

Methods: The expression level of Ras related GTP binding protein B (RalB) was measured in TSCC samples by immunohistochemical staining. Wound healing, invasion, and cell adhesion assays were used to investigate cell motility. Western blot was used to investigate RalB expression level. An orthotopic nude mouse model of TSCC was established to investigate the effect and mechanism of DHA on lymph node metastasis.

Results: First, DHA inhibited the progression of tongue tumor and tongue-to-lymph node metastasis of TSCC. Secondly, DHA inhibited RalB expression level in vitro and in vivo. Finally, DHA inhibited tongue-to-lymph node metastasis through RALB.

Conclusions: DHA inhibited tongue-to-lymph node metastasis through RALB, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for TSCC metastasis.

Keywords

Dihydroartemisinin; Lymph node metastasis; RalB; Tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

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