MicroRNA-129-3p Suppresses Tumor Progression and Chemoradioresistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Sep 23, 2026

MicroRNA-129-3p (miR-129-3p) is evaluated for its role in tumor progression and chemoradiotherapy resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). RT-PCR, western blotting, proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion/migration assays assess functional effects, showing miR-129-3p overexpression reduces growth and motility while promoting apoptosis and boosting radiation- and cisplatin-induced apoptosis. miR-129-3p is downregulated in patient tumor tissues versus adjacent normal mucosa, and xenograft results confirm reduced tumor growth with miR-129-3p overexpression.

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CategoryHealthcare

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Cell Culture and Transfection

Article MicroRNA-129-3p Suppresses Tumor Progression and Chemoradioresistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tae Mi Yoon 1, Sun-Ae Kim 1, Eun Kyung Jung 1, Young-Kook Kim 2, Kyung-Hwa Lee 3 and Sang Chul Lim 1, * Received: 18 December 2024 Revised: 8 January 2025 Accepted: 18 January 2025 Published: 20 January 2025 Citation: Yoon, T.M.; Kim, S.-A.; Jung, E.K.; Kim, Y.-K.; Lee, K.-H.; Lim, S.C. MicroRNA-129-3p Suppresses Tumor Progression and Chemoradioresistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32, 54. [https://doi.org/](https://doi.org/)[ ](https://doi.org/)[10.3390/curroncol32010054](10.3390/curroncol32010054) Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://creativecommons.org/](https://creativecommons.org/)[ ](https://creativecommons.org/)[licenses/by/4.0/](licenses/by/4.0/)) . 1 Departments of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; [yoontm@chonnam.ac.kr](yoontm@chonnam.ac.kr) (T.M.Y.) 2 Departments of Biochemistry, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea 3 Departments of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea * Correspondence: [limsc@chonnam.ac.kr](limsc@chonnam.ac.kr) Abstract: (1) Background: MicroRNA-129 (miR-129) participates in tumor progression and chemoresistance in various cancer types. In this study, the role of miR-129-3p, the main mature form of miR-129, in tumor progression and chemoradiotherapy resistance in head and neck cancer was evaluated. (2) Methods: RT-PCR, western blotting, cell proliferation assays, cell apoptosis assays, and cell invasion and migration assays were used. (3) Results: In this study, the miR-129-3p overexpression suppressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of SNU1041, SCC15, and SCC25 human HNSCC cell lines. Additionally, it induced apoptosis and enhanced radiation-/cisplatin-induced apoptosis of SNU1041, SCC15, and SCC25 cells. Therefore, miR-129-3p could suppress tumor progression and enhance chemoradiosensitivity in human HNSCC. Furthermore, miR-129-3p was downregulated in fresh tumor tissues from patients with HNSCC compared with that in the adjacent normal mucosa. In a nude mouse xenograft model with SNU15 cells, the miR-129-3poverexpression significantly decreased tumor growth, as measured by tumor weight and volume. (4) Conclusions: Our study provides evidence that miR-129-3p suppresses tumor progression and chemoradioresistance in HNSCC. This finding may serve as a basis for developing miR-129-3p-based therapeutic strategies. Keywords: miRNA; radioresistance; apoptosis; molecular targeted therapy; head and necksquamous cell carcinoma 1. Introduction Head and neck cancer is the sixth-most common malignant tumor among various cancer types, accounting for approximately 5.3% of cases [1] . The most prevalent type of head and neck cancer is squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck [2] . The incidence of head and neck cancer has been increasing over the past decade [3] . It is treated with surgery and chemoradiotherapy; however, patients with advanced head and neck cancer usually receive adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, even if they undergo surgery [4] . Despite recent advancements in surgical techniques, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the prognosis for advanced head and neck cancer remains poor [5] . Because most patients with advanced head and neck cancer undergo chemoradiotherapy either before or after surgery, predicting and improving the response to treatment are necessary for improving the prognosis for these patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as a key post-transcriptional regula

FAQs

What is the central question of the study?

The study investigates whether miR-129-3p suppresses tumor progression and chemoradioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Which experimental approaches were used to evaluate miR-129-3p?

RT-PCR, western blotting, cell proliferation assays, apoptosis assays, and cell invasion and migration assays were used.

What did miR-129-3p overexpression do in HNSCC cells and models?

miR-129-3p overexpression suppressed proliferation, invasion, and migration, induced apoptosis, and enhanced radiation-/cisplatin-induced apoptosis; it also reduced tumor growth in a nude mouse xenograft model.

Sep 23, 2026

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