Anti-EMMPRIN treatment of HNSCC in an ex vivo model.

Objective: Targeting the molecular pathways associated with carcinogenesis remains the greatest opportunity to reduce treatment related morbidity and mortality. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), also known as CD147, is a cell surface molecule known to promote tumor growth and angiogenesis in preclinical studies of head and neck carcinoma. To evaluate the feasibility of anti-CD147 therapy, an ex vivo human head and neck cancer model was established.