TY - JOUR AB - The present study aimed to investigate expression of β2‑adrenergic receptor (AR), the effect of the stress‑related neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) on cell viability, proliferation and the therapeutic effect of propranolol, which is a typical β‑blocker in various type of head and neck cancers for the first time. The β2‑AR expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry and an immunoreactive scoring (IRS) system in 57 different head and neck cancer specimens, and reverse transcriptase‑polymerase chain reaction and western blotting in four head and neck cancer cell lines (HNCCLs). Cell viability and proliferation assays were performed using 0, 1, 5 and 10 µM of NE and 1 µM of propranolol in four HNCCLs. The expression of β2‑AR was positive in the majority of head and neck cancer tissues (55/57, 96.5%); however, it was significantly higher in oral cavity cancer than in pharyngeal cancer (median IRS: 9 vs. 3; P<0.001). All HNCCLs exhibited β2‑AR expression, with a higher expression level detected in the oral cavity cancer cell line than in the others. NE stimulated viability (oral cavity, 206%; larynx, 156%; pharynx, 130%; nasal cavity, 137%; 10 µM NE) and proliferation (124, 176, 131 and 127%, respectively) in a dose‑dependent manner in all HNCCLs. Conversely, propranolol attenuated such viability (55, 42, 18 and 22%, respectively) and proliferation (22, 40, 61 and 48%, respectively). In conclusion, the viability and proliferation of various head and neck cancers may be directly stimulated by stress and this may be attenuated by β‑blockers. AD - Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Gyeonggi‑do 15355, Republic of Korea Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi‑do 13496, Republic of Korea Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Ajou University Hospital, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16499, Republic of Korea Department of Otorhinolaryngology‑Head and Neck Surgery, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Anyang, Gyeonggi‑do 14068, Republic of Korea AU - Kwon,Soon,Young AU - Chun,Kyung,Ju AU - Kil,Hong,Kwon AU - Jung,Narae AU - Shin,Hyun-Ah AU - Jang,Jeon,Yeob AU - Choi,Hyo,Geun AU - Oh,Kyoung-Ho AU - Kim,Min-Su DA - 2021/11/01 DO - 10.3892/ol.2021.13065 IS - 5 JO - Oncol Lett KW - norepinephrine adrenergic receptor adrenergic β‑antagonists head and neck neoplasms stress PY - 2021 SN - 1792-1074 1792-1082 SP - 804 ST - β2‑adrenergic receptor expression and the effects of norepinephrine and propranolol on various head and neck cancer subtypes T2 - Oncology Letters TI - β2‑adrenergic receptor expression and the effects of norepinephrine and propranolol on various head and neck cancer subtypes UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2021.13065 VL - 22 ER -