RalB promotes lymph node metastasis in tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lymph nodes metastasis is the main metastasis mode of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Ras related GTP binding protein B (RalB) have been recently described that it was involved in tumor growth and metastasis, but the effect in TSCC is still ill-defined. OBJECTIVE: This study provides insights into the role of RALB as a prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and demonstrates its involvement in promoting lymph node metastasis in TSCC. METHODS: Firstly, the expression level of RALB and the relationship with clinical features were examined. Subsequently, RALB knockdown Cal-27 cells orthotopic xenotransplantation in the tongue of BALB/c nude mice were established. Finally, using Connectivity Map (CMAP) database to find possible drugs. RESULTS: Firstly, RALB could not only predict the cancer patients' prognosis and survival and but also act as a potential prognostic factor, particularly in HNSCC by pan-cancer bioinformatics analysis. In addition, we found that RalB promoted tumor growth and lymph node metastasis. Finally, we identified Tirabrutinib (ONO-4059) targeting RalB with good binding properties. CONCLUSIONS: RalB act as a prognostic gene in HNSCC, and promote lymph node metastasis in early stage of TSCC.