Notch1 signaling pathway participates in cancer invasion by regulating MMPs in lingual squamous cell carcinoma.

Some studies show the Notch signaling pathway may participate in carcinoma invasion and metastasis. However, the mechanisms by which Notch1 mediates cell invasion and migration, especially in lingual squamous cell carcinoma, are not yet known. In the current study, we demonstrated for the first time the anti-invasion and anti-metastasis effect of down-regulation of Notch1 in lingual squamous cell carcinoma. Down-regulation of Notch1 could be an effective approach for inhibition of the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 resulting in the inhibition of invasion and metastasis, which could be useful for devising novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for lingual squamous cell carcinoma.