Silencing Rab14 represses the proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and enhances cisplatin sensitivity.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a subtype of head and neck cancer with a relatively poor prognosis. The mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of OSCC are complex and not yet fully understood; however, this information is critical for developing novel therapeutic targets and improving patient outcome. Rab14, a Ras related protein, has been implicated in multiple forms of cancer. In the present study, we confirmed that Rab14 is overexpression in human OSCC tissue, compared with normal oral mucosa samples. In addition, knockdown of Rab14 exerted potent anti-tumor effects by repressing the proliferation and migration of OSCC cell lines. Moreover, knockdown of Rab14 reduced the expression of Cyclin D1 and CXCR4, at the level of protein and mRNA, both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, abrogation of Rab14 enhanced cisplatin sensitivity in OSCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data provides evidence for Rab14 as a potential therapeutic target in OSCC treatment.