ANALYZING STAT-3 GENE EXPRESSION IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA CELLS PRE- AND POST-CARBOPLATIN TREATMENT IN VITRO

Abstract

Aim: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents a small percentage of global cancer cases, with oral tumors being the most common. OSCC can be caused by various factors including tobacco, alcohol, and viral infections. Carboplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, shows promise in treating OSCC with fewer side effects. However, activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) in OSCC cells can hinder carboplatin's effectiveness. This study aims to assess carboplatin's efficacy in OSCC treatment and explore the potential benefits of combining it with STAT3 inhibitors. Materials and methods: KB cells were subjected to treatment with varying concentrations of carboplatin. Cell proliferation was evaluated through the MTT assay, while RNA isolation was performed using the TRIzol method followed by cDNA conversion. Gene expression analysis was carried out using qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using SPSS. Results: The significant reduction in STAT3 expression post-treatment compared to untreated cancer cells indicates a promising avenue for further exploration of carboplatin’s therapeutic efficacy in targeting oncogenic signaling pathways. Conclusion: The results show a significant decrease in STAT3 expression post-treatment compared to untreated OSCC cells, suggesting carboplatin's strong anti-cancer effect and its potential as a therapeutic option for OSCC treatment.