Aim: In this study, we investigated the role of Y-box binding protein-1 (YB-1), c-Myb and miR-155 in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) progression.
Materials & methods: Quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, MTT and Transwell were conducted to determine the expression and function of YB-1/miR-155 pathway. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the prognostic factors.
Results: Expression of YB-1, c-Myb and miR-155 was higher in LSCC tissues. YB-1 promoted proliferation, invasiveness and migration of Hep-2 cells in vitro. Patients with higher YB-1 correlated with advanced T stage, poor differentiation and cervical metastasis. LSCC patients with high YB-1 expression showed poor overall survival.
Conclusion: YB-1 promotes LSCC progression by increasing miR-155 levels via c-Myb and acts as a prognostic factor.
Keywords: LSCC; YB-1; c-Myb; cervical metastasis; head and neck cancer; invasion; laryngeal cancer; miR-155; prognosis; proliferation.