088 Deciphering the molecular signals of EGFR pathway activation in Dlx3 deficient skin in cSCC

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that homeoproteins can act as modulators tumor initiation and progression in cSCC. DLX3 a homeobox transcription factor which plays pivotal roles embryonic development epidermal homeostasis. Previous work from our lab, using both human samples Dlx3 knock-out (Dlx3cKO) mouse model, demonstrated DLX3’s suppressive role epithelial progression. Molecular evaluation Dlx3cKO tumor-permissive properties identified specific mechanisms Dlx3-mediated carcinogenesis via upregulation EGFR ligands activation EGFR/ERBB2/MAPK pathway. Here, we have investigated direct genomic targets signal pathways mediating function. Epigenetic studies chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) next-generation DNA sequencing directly recruited into regulatory regions ligand genes including Areg, Ereg, Tgfα Btc. Further, transcriptomic profiling RNA STAT3 downstream mediator EGFR/ERBB2 pathway skin. Thus, preliminary results support key modulator activity Future will functionally evaluate in-silico findings to elucidate events critical gene important tumorigenesis.