Oral oncology
-
Survivin belongs to the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP) gene family and inhibits apoptosis. Besides its role as IAP, Survivin recently appears to function as a subunit of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) for regulating cell division with other CPC proteins including Aurora-B and INCENP. Nuclear Survivin is suspected to control cell division, whereas cytoplasmic Survivin is considered cytoprotective. ⋯ Notably, HNSCC cases with nuclear Survivin and Aurora-B expression exhibited marked malignant behaviors. Interestingly, both Survivin and Aurora-B knockdown inhibited cell growth and tumorsphere formation. Overall suggest that nuclear Survivin may be involved in tumor progression together with Aurora-B, and that Survivin and Aurora-B can be useful diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.