KIF23, under regulation by androgen receptor, can promote the deterioration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Abstract Our study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of KIF23 regulating function in the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and pinpoint novel therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. The mRNA and protein level of KIF23 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was measured using quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. The influence of KIF23 on tumor metastasis and growth in nasopharyngeal carcinoma was determined through the in vivo and in vitro experiments. The regulatory mechanisms of KIF23 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma were illustrated in the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. KIF23 was found to be overexpressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma samples, and its expression was associated with poor prognosis. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell’s proliferation, migration and invasion potential could be improved by inducing KIF23 expression both in vivo and in vitro. Androgen receptor (AR) was found to bind to the KIF23 promoter region directly and enhance KIF23 transcription. Furthermore, KIF23 could accelerate nasopharyngeal carcinoma deterioration via activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. AR/KIF23/ Wnt/β-catenin pathway promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma deterioration. Our findings could serve as a new therapeutic strategy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the clinical practice.