The hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor RHAMM promotes growth, invasiveness and dissemination of colorectal cancer

In colorectal cancer (CRC), RHAMM is an independent adverse prognostic factor. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate on the role of RHAMM as a potential direct driver of cell proliferation and migration in CRC cell lines and to identify pathways dependent on RHAMM in human CRC. Proliferation, cell cycle alterations and invasive capacity were tested in two RHAMM- and control- knockdown CRC cell lines by flow cytometry and assays. Tumorigenicity and metastasis formation was assessed in immunodeficient mice. RNA-Seq and immunohistochemistry was performed on six RHAMM+/- primary CRC tumors. , silencing of RHAMM inhibited CRC cell migration and invasion by 50% (p<0.01). , RHAMM knockdown resulted in slower growth, lower tumor size (p<0.001) and inhibition of metastasis (p