Understanding the Role of ANO1 in Oral Cancer

In 2008, the gene ANO1 was discovered to encode a calcium activated chloride channel. This gene is located on the 11q13 locus, a locus that is commonly amplified in many cancers including cancer of the head and neck. ANO1 is situated in close proximity to genes associated with growth and apoptosis. As rapid proliferation and lack of apoptosis are hallmark characteristics of cancer, growth factors and apoptosis mediators are expected to be altered in cancer. But what does a calcium activated chloride channel have to contribute to cancer’s pathogenesis? Is it an active gene in cancer progression or is it simply amplified due to its close proximity to a gene that is driving the upregulation of this locus? To date, ANO1 has been found to be elevated in many cancers, including cancers of the head and neck. It has been associated with a poor prognosis and a high incidence of metastasis, but its mechanism of action is unclear. Research is relatively new and is limited, especially with its association of head and neck cancer. Perhaps, if ANO1 does have a role to play in cancer progression, ANO1 may provide a therapeutic target and/or diagnostic and prognostic marker in cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to attempt to understand more clearly ANO1’s role in oral cancer. After ANO1’s activity is altered, proliferation and pivotal genes associated with apoptosis will be evaluated in head and neck cancer cells