Despite current therapies, at least 50% of patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) develop either locoregional or distant relapses within 2 years of treatment. Existing research regarding relapse suggested a role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the aggressive HNSCC phenotype perhaps contributing to the relapse of many chemotherapy patients. More specifically, AHR activation by AHR agonists such as dioxin or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found in tobacco smoke) have repeatedly been shown to play a role in antiapoptotic activity and cell survival. Under nutrient-deprived conditions relevant to HNSCC solid tumors, this may in turn serve a role in promoting tumor cell survival. Likewise, the application of AHR antagonists may in turn also play a role in making tumors much more susceptible to chemotherapeutic agents, thus increasing their efficacy. The purpose of the project as such is to assess the ability of HNSCC cell line HN30 cells to resist the effects of chemotherapeutic agents in the presence of AHR agonists/antagonists under tumor-relevant conditions utilizing a monolayer culture system.
