BEX3 contributes to cisplatin chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current views on the tumor microenvironment's impact on drug resistance and clinical outcomes

The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) exhibits significant variations across different ethnic groups and geographical regions, with Southeast Asia and North Africa being endemic areas. Of note, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely associated with almost all of the undifferentiated NPC cases. Over the past three decades, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have formed the cornerstone of NPC treatment. However, recent advancements in immunotherapy have introduced a range of promising approaches for managing NPC. In light of these developments, it has become evident that a deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. The TME serves a dual function, acting as a promoter of tumorigenesis while also orchestrating immunosuppression, thereby facilitating cancer progression and enabling immune evasion. Consequently, a comprehensive comprehension of the TME and its intricate involvement in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of NPC is imperative for the development of effective anticancer drugs. Moreover, given the complexity of TME and the inter-patient heterogeneity, personalized treatment should be designed to maximize therapeutic efficacy and circumvent drug resistance. This review aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the TME within the context of EBV-induced NPC, with a particular emphasis on its pivotal role in regulating intercellular communication and shaping treatment responses. Additionally, the review offers a concise summary of drug resistance mechanisms and potential strategies for their reversal, specifically in relation to chemoradiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, recent advances in clinical trials pertaining to NPC are also discussed.

Construction of novel 7 integrin-related gene signatures in thyroid cancer construction of model based on integrin genes

Advanced and metastatic THCA patients usually have a poor prognosis. Thus, this study aimed to establish a risk model to discriminate the high risk population. The expression and clinical data were obtained from TCGA database. The cluster analysis, lasso, univariate and multivariate cox analyses were used to construct risk model. K-M, ROC and DCA were applied to validate the efficiency and stability of the model. GO, KEGG, and ssGSEA analysis were performed to identify the potential mechanism of signatures. The 7-gene prognosis model was constructed, including FAM27E3, FIGN, GSTM4, BEX5, RBPMS2, PHF13, and DCSTAMP. ROC and DCA results showed our model had a better prognosis prediction performance than other risk models. The high risk score was associated with the poor prognosis of THCA patients with different clinical characteristics. The risk score was closely related to cell cycle. Further, we found that the expressions of signatures were significantly dysregulated in THCA and associated with prognosis. These gene expressions were affected by some clinical characteristics, methylation and CNV. Some signatures played a role in drug sensitivity and pathway activation. We constructed a 7-gene signature model based on the integrin-related genes, which showed a great prognostic value in THCA.

Extracellular vesicles derived from paclitaxel-sensitive nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells deliver miR-183-5p and impart paclitaxel sensitivity through a mechanism involving P-gp

Paclitaxel treatment has been applied for late-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but therapy failure usually occurs due to paclitaxel resistance. Besides, microRNAs (miRs) delivered by extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated as promising biomarkers affecting cancer development. Our work clarified the role of bioinformatically predicted miR-183-5p, which could be delivered by EVs, in the paclitaxel resistance of NPC. Downstream targets of miR-183-5p were predicted in publicly available databases, followed by GO enrichment analysis. A confirmatory dual-luciferase reporter assay determined the targeting relationship between miR-183-5p and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The shuttling of extracellular miR-183-5p was identified by immunofluorescence. EVs transferred miR-183-5p from paclitaxel-sensitive NPC cells to paclitaxel-resistant NPC cells. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-183-5p and under-expression of P-gp occurred in clinical samples and cells of NPC. High expression of miR-183-5p corresponded to better survival of paclitaxel-treated patients. The effects of manipulated expression of miR-183-5p on NPC cell activities, tumor growth, and paclitaxel resistance were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Its effect was achieved through negatively regulating drug transporters P-gp. Ectopically expressed miR-183-5p enhanced the cancer-suppressive effects of paclitaxel by targeting P-gp, corresponding to diminished cell viability and tumor growth. Taken together, this work goes to elucidate the mechanical actions of miR-183-5p delivered by EVs and its significant contribution towards paclitaxel sensitivity to NPC. 1. This study provides mechanistic insight into the role of miR-183-5p-containing EVs in NPC. 2. The intercellular transportation of miR-183-5p is mediated by EVs in NPC. 3. Overexpressing miR-183-5p facilitates the anti-tumor effects of paclitaxel in NPC. 4. miR-183-5p suppresses paclitaxel resistance of NPC cells by inhibiting P-gp.

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epithelial Associated Malignancies: Exploring Pathologies and Current Treatments

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of eight known herpesviruses with the potential to infect humans. Globally, it is estimated that between 90-95% of the population has been infected with EBV. EBV is an oncogenic virus that has been strongly linked to various epithelial malignancies such as nasopharyngeal and gastric cancer. Recent evidence suggests a link between EBV and breast cancer. Additionally, there are other, rarer cancers with weaker evidence linking them to EBV. In this review, we discuss the currently known epithelial malignancies associated with EBV. Additionally, we discuss and establish which treatments and therapies are most recommended for each cancer associated with EBV.

Identification and validation of a seven-gene prognostic marker in colon cancer based on single-cell transcriptome analysis

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed tumours worldwide. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) can accurately reflect the heterogeneity within and between tumour cells and identify important genes associated with cancer development and growth. In this study, scRNA-seq was used to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers in CC. ScRNA-seq data of CC before and after 5-fluorouracil treatment were first downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The data were pre-processed, and dimensionality reduction was performed using principal component analysis and t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding algorithms. Additionally, the transcriptome data, somatic variant data, and clinical reports of patients with CC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Seven key genes were identified using Cox regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method to establish signatures associated with CC prognoses. The identified signatures were validated on independent datasets, and somatic mutations and potential oncogenic pathways were further explored. Based on these features, gene signatures, and other clinical variables, a more effective predictive model nomogram for patients with CC was constructed, and a decision curve analysis was performed to assess the utility of the nomogram. A prognostic signature consisting of seven prognostic-related genes, including CAV2, EREG, NGFRAP1, WBSCR22, SPINT2, CCDC28A, and BCL10, was constructed and validated. The proficiency and credibility of the signature were verified in both internal and external datasets, and the results showed that the seven-gene signature could effectively predict the prognosis of patients with CC under various clinical conditions. A nomogram was then constructed based on features such as the RiskScore, patients' age, neoplasm stage, and tumor (T), nodes (N), and metastases (M) classification, and the nomogram had good clinical utility. Higher RiskScores were associated with a higher tumour mutational burden, which was confirmed to be a prognostic risk factor. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that high-score groups were enriched in 'cytoplasmic DNA sensing', 'Extracellular matrix receptor interactions', and 'focal adhesion', and low-score groups were enriched in 'natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity', and 'T-cell receptor signalling pathways', among other pathways. A robust seven-gene marker for CC was identified based on scRNA-seq data and was validated in multiple independent cohort studies. These findings provide a new potential marker to predict the prognosis of patients with CC.

Cancer cell line microarray as a novel screening method for identification of radioresistance biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Currently, no clinically useful biomarkers for radioresistance are available in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study assesses the usefulness of Cell Line Microarray (CMA) method to enhance immunohistochemical screening of potential immunohistochemical biomarkers for radioresistance in HNSCC cell lines.

Methods

Twenty-nine HNSCC cell lines were cultured, cell pellets formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and arrayed. Radioresistance features of the cell lines were combined to immunohistochemical stains for p53, NDFIP1, EGFR, stem cell marker Oct4, and PP2A inhibitor CIP2A.

Results

Expression of p53, EGFR or CIP2A did not indicate intrinsic radioresistance in vitro. Stem cell marker Oct4 nuclear positivity and NDFIP1 nuclear positivity was correlated with increased intrinsic radioresistance.

Conclusion

The usefulness of CMA in analysis of HNSCC cell lines and discovery of biomarkers is demonstrated. CMA is very well adapted to both testing of antibodies in a large panel of cell lines as well as correlating staining results with other cell line characteristics. In addition, CMA-based antibody screening proved an efficient and relatively simple method to identify potential radioresistance biomarkers in HNSCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08618-6.

Effects of different combined regimens of cisplatin, metformin, and quercetin on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and subcutaneous xenografts

Cisplatin, metformin, and quercetin are all reliable anticancer drugs. However, it is unclear how effective their different combination regimens are on the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line Sune-1 and subcutaneous xenograft in nude mice. This study evaluated the effects of single-drug, two-drug, and three-drug simultaneous or sequential combined application of these drugs on the growth of Sune-1 cells and subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice. The results showed that the different combination regimens of cisplatin, metformin and quercetin all had significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of Sune-1 cells and the growth of subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice (P < 0.01), and the inhibition rate of the three drugs simultaneous combined application was significant Higher than the two-drug combination or single-drug application (P < 0.05), the contribution level of each drug in the three-drug combination application from high to low were cisplatin > metformin > quercetin. In summary, our results indicate that the simultaneous combination of cisplatin, metformin, and quercetin may synergistically inhibit the growth of Sune-1 cells and subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice through their different anticancer mechanisms, which may be clinically refractory and provide reference for chemotherapy of patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Targeting the signaling in Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases: mechanism, regulation, and clinical study

Epstein–Barr virus-associated diseases are important global health concerns. As a group I carcinogen, EBV accounts for 1.5% of human malignances, including both epithelial- and lymphatic-originated tumors. Moreover, EBV plays an etiological and pathogenic role in a number of non-neoplastic diseases, and is even involved in multiple autoimmune diseases (SADs). In this review, we summarize and discuss some recent exciting discoveries in EBV research area, which including DNA methylation alterations, metabolic reprogramming, the changes of mitochondria and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), oxidative stress and EBV lytic reactivation, variations in non-coding RNA (ncRNA), radiochemotherapy and immunotherapy. Understanding and learning from this advancement will further confirm the far-reaching and future value of therapeutic strategies in EBV-associated diseases.

Characterization of an eutherian gene cluster generated after transposon domestication identifies Bex3 as relevant for advanced neurological functions

BACKGROUND

One of the most unusual sources of phylogenetically restricted genes is the molecular domestication of transposable elements into a host genome as functional genes. Although these kinds of events are sometimes at the core of key macroevolutionary changes, their origin and organismal function are generally poorly understood.

RESULTS

Here, we identify several previously unreported transposable element domestication events in the human and mouse genomes. Among them, we find a remarkable molecular domestication that gave rise to a multigenic family in placental mammals, the Bex/Tceal gene cluster. These genes, which act as hub proteins within diverse signaling pathways, have been associated with neurological features of human patients carrying genomic microdeletions in chromosome X. The Bex/Tceal genes display neural-enriched patterns and are differentially expressed in human neurological disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. Two different murine alleles of the cluster member Bex3 display morphological and physiopathological brain modifications, such as reduced interneuron number and hippocampal electrophysiological imbalance, alterations that translate into distinct behavioral phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide an in-depth understanding of the emergence of a gene cluster that originated by transposon domestication and gene duplication at the origin of placental mammals, an evolutionary process that transformed a non-functional transposon sequence into novel components of the eutherian genome. These genes were integrated into existing signaling pathways involved in the development, maintenance, and function of the CNS in eutherians. At least one of its members, Bex3, is relevant for higher brain functions in placental mammals and may be involved in human neurological disorders.

Chemotherapy and chemo-resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and occurs frequently in the south of China and Southeast Asian countries. Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is one of the main treatments for NPC. Although, the combined treatment of chemo-radiotherapy produces a satisfying survival rate, the chemo-resistance arises as a big obstacle in curing recurrent NPC patients. The acquirement of chemo-resistance is usually along with a poor prognosis. So far, the mechanism of chemo-resistance in NPC has not been fully elucidated and there have not been a comprehensive review on this issue. Thus, it is of great significance to summarize the mechanisms involved in NPC chemo-resistance. In this review, the importance and limitations of chemotherapy and the mechanisms of chemo-resistances in NPC were discussed.

NADPH oxidase 5α promotes the formation of CD271 tumor-initiating cells in oral cancer

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) has a distinctive cell sub-population known as tumor-initiating cells (TICs). CD271 is a functional TIC receptor in head and neck cancers. The molecular mechanisms governing CD271 up-regulation remains unclear. Oxidative stress is a contributing factor in TIC development. Here, we explored the potential role of NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) and its regulatory mechanism on the development of CD271-expressing OTSCC. Our results showed that the splice variant NOX5α is the most prevalent form expressed in head and neck cancers. NOX5α enhanced OTSCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of NOX5α increased the size of OTSCC xenograft significantly in vivo. The tumor-promoting functions of NOX5α were mediated through the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating property. NOX5α activated ERK singling and increased CD271 expression at the transcription level. Also, NOX5α reduces the sensitivity of OTSCC to cisplatin and natural killer cells. The findings indicate that NOX5α plays an important part in the development of TIC in OTSCC.

A 4-gene leukemic stem cell score can independently predict the prognosis of myelodysplastic syndrome patients

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) comprised a heterogeneous group of diseases. The prognosis of patients varies even in the same risk groups. Searching for novel prognostic markers is warranted. Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are responsible for chemoresistance and relapse in leukemia. Recently, expressions of 17 genes related to stemness of LSCs were found to be associated with prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia patients. However, the clinical impact of LSC genes expressions in MDS, a disorder arising from hematopoietic stem cells, remains unclear. We analyzed expression profile of the 17 stemness-related genes in primary MDS patients and identified expression of 4 genes (LAPTM4B, NGFRAP1, EMP1, and CPXM1) were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS). We constructed an LSC4 scoring system based on the weighted sums of the expression of 4 genes and explored its clinical implications in MDS patients. Higher LSC4 scores were associated with higher revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) scores, complex cytogenetics, and mutations in RUNX1, ASXL1, and TP53. High-score patients had significantly shorter OS and leukemia-free survival (LFS), which was also confirmed in 2 independent validation cohorts. Subgroup analysis revealed the prognostic significance of LSC4 scores for OS remained valid across IPSS-R lower- and higher-risk groups. Furthermore, higher LSC4 score was an independent adverse risk factor for OS and LFS in multivariate analysis. In summary, LSC4 score can independently predict prognosis in MDS patients irrespective of IPSS-R risks and may be used to guide the treatment of MDS patients, especially lower-risk group in whom usually only supportive treatment is given.

Identification of gene co-expression modules and hub genes associated with lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most prevalent histological type among thyroid cancers, and some patients are at a high risk for recurrent disease or even death. Identification for the potential biomarkers of PTC may contribute to early discovery of recurrence and treatment. In The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we obtained the information of RNA sequence data and clinical characteristics of PTC. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to construct gene co-expression networks and investigate the relationship between modules and clinical traits. Finally, we constructed 16 co-expression modules in 10,428 genes, and three key modules (darkturquoise, lightyellow, and red) associated with tumor N grade were identified. The results of functional annotation indicated that the darkturquoise module was primarily enriched in the regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), collagen metabolism, and cell adhesion, the lightyellow module was primarily enriched in the mitochondrial function regulation and energy synthesis, and the red module was primarily enriched in the process of cell junction, apoptosis, and inflammatory response, suggesting their significant role in the progression of PTC. In addition, the hub genes in the three modules were identified and screened for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Relapse-free survival analyses found that 11 genes (KCNQ3, MET, FN1, ITGA3, RUNX1, ITGA2, PERP, GCSH, FAAH, NGFRAP1, and HSPA5) may play a pivotal role in PTC relapse. In general, our research revealed the key co-expression modules and identified several prognostic biomarkers, which provides some new insights into the lymph node metastasis of PTC.

Skp2-mediated ubiquitination and mitochondrial localization of Akt drive tumor growth and chemoresistance to cisplatin

The E3 ligase S-phase kinase-associated protein 2(Skp2) is overexpressed in human cancers and correlated with poor prognosis, but its contributions to tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are not evident. Herein we show that Skp2 is highly expressed in NPC tumor tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of Skp2 suppresses tumor cell growth, colony formation, glycolysis, and in vivo tumor growth. Skp2 promotes Akt K63-mediated ubiquitination and activation, which is required for EGF-induced Akt mitochondrial localization. Importantly, K63-linked ubiquitination enhances the interaction between Akt and HK2 and eventually increases HK2 phosphorylation on Thr473 and mitochondrial localization. Overexpression of Skp2 impaired the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and confers cisplatin resistance. Moreover, ectopic expression of Myr-Akt1 or phosphomimetic HK2-T473D rescued cisplatin-induced tumor suppression in Skp2 knockdown stable cells. Also, depletion of Akt ubiquitination enhances the antitumor efficacy of cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated that Skp2 is positively correlated with p-Akt and HK2 in NPC tumor tissues. This study highlights the clinical value of Skp2 targeting in NPC treatment.

Ribavirin sensitizes nasopharyngeal carcinoma to 5-fluorouracil through suppressing 5-fluorouracil-induced ERK-dependent-eIF4E activation

Although overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) is associated with enhanced growth and poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), the function of eIF4E in NPC response to chemotherapy has not been revealed. In this work, we demonstrate that eIF4E inhibition using both ribavirin and siRNA targets NPC cells and enhances the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Mechanism studies indicate that 5-FU treatment increases phosphorylation of eIF4E in NPC cells, and this is dependent on ERK activation. eIF4E inhibition thus significantly sensitizes NPC cell response to 5-FU. Of note, ribavirin is a clinically available anti-viral drug. We show that ribavirin exhibits preferential toxicity to NPC with normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells largely unaffected. Ribavirin acts on NPC cells via inhibiting eIF4E/Akt signaling, and the suppression of eIF4E by ribavirin are not the consequence of inhibition of eIF4E upstream signaling: Mnk and mTOR. In two independent NPC xenograft mouse models, ribavirin at well-tolerated dose that significantly inhibited NPC growth as single drug alone and its combination with 5-FU completely arrests tumor growth throughout the whole duration of treatment, without causing toxicity in mice. Our findings provide the better understanding on the role of eIF4E in NPC in response to 5-FU and preclinical rationale to explore ribavirin as a sensitizing strategy to treat NPC, particularly in those who develop 5-FU resistance.

High NEK2 confers to poor prognosis and contributes to cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant tumor in southern China and Southeast Asia, but the molecular mechanism of its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Our previous work demonstrated that NEK2 is overexpressed in multiple cancers. However, how NEK2 involves in NPC development remains to be elucidated. In this study, we firstly identified NEK2, located at +1q32-q33, a late event in NPC pathogenesis, overexpressed in the stage III-IV and paired sequential recurrent patients with NPC by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated high NEK2 conferred an inferior overall survival in NPC. In addition, cisplatin experiments with cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and a xenograft mice model of NPC demonstrated that NEK2 contributed to proliferation and cisplatin resistance in vitro and in vivo. On the contrary, downregulation of NEK2 by short hairpin RNA inhibited NPC cell growth and increased the sensitivity of cisplatin treatment in vitro. Thus, increased expression of NEK2 protein could not be predicted for poor survival but used as a novel biomarker for recurrence of NPC. Targeting NEK2 has the potential to eradicate the cisplatin-based chemotherapy resistant NPC cells.

Proteomic Signature of Neuroblastoma Cells UKF-NB-4 Reveals Key Role of Lysosomal Sequestration and the Proteasome Complex in Acquiring Chemoresistance to Cisplatin

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a widely used agent in the treatment of neuroblastoma. Unfortunately, the development of acquired chemoresistance limits its clinical use. To gain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of such chemoresistance, we comparatively analyzed established cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cell line (UKF-NB-4^CDDP) and its sensitive counterpart (UKF-NB-4). First, using viability screenings, we confirmed the decreased sensitivity of tested cells to cisplatin and identified a cross-resistance to carboplatin and oxaliplatin. Then, the proteomic signatures were analyzed using nano liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Among the proteins responsible for UKF-NB-4^CDDP chemoresistance, ion channels transport family proteins, ATP-binding cassette superfamily proteins (ATP = adenosine triphosphate), solute carrier-mediated trans-membrane transporters, proteasome complex subunits, and V-ATPases were identified. Moreover, we detected markedly higher proteasome activity in UKF-NB-4^CDDP cells and a remarkable lysosomal enrichment that can be inhibited by bafilomycin A to sensitize UKF-NB-4^CDDP to CDDP. Our results indicate that lysosomal sequestration and proteasome activity may be one of the key mechanisms responsible for intrinsic chemoresistance of neuroblastoma to CDDP.

Bcl-2 Antiapoptotic Family Proteins and Chemoresistance in Cancer

Cancer is a daunting global problem confronting the world's population. The most frequent therapeutic approaches include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and more recently immunotherapy. In the case of chemotherapy, patients ultimately develop resistance to both single and multiple chemotherapeutic agents, which can culminate in metastatic disease which is a major cause of patient death from solid tumors. Chemoresistance, a primary cause of treatment failure, is attributed to multiple factors including decreased drug accumulation, reduced drug-target interactions, increased populations of cancer stem cells, enhanced autophagy activity, and reduced apoptosis in cancer cells. Reprogramming tumor cells to undergo drug-induced apoptosis provides a promising and powerful strategy for treating resistant and recurrent neoplastic diseases. This can be achieved by downregulating dysregulated antiapoptotic factors or activation of proapoptotic factors in tumor cells. A major target of dysregulation in cancer cells that can occur during chemoresistance involves altered expression of Bcl-2 family members. Bcl-2 antiapoptotic molecules (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and Mcl-1) are frequently upregulated in acquired chemoresistant cancer cells, which block drug-induced apoptosis. We presently overview the potential role of Bcl-2 antiapoptotic proteins in the development of cancer chemoresistance and overview the clinical approaches that use Bcl-2 inhibitors to restore cell death in chemoresistant and recurrent tumors.

BEX3 contributes to cisplatin chemoresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) can develop cisplatin‐resistant phenotype. Research has revealed that enriched in cancer stem cell population is involved in developing cisplatin‐resistant phenotype. CD271 is a candidate stem cell maker in head and neck cancers. The CD receptor does not possess any enzymatic property. Signal transduction function of CD271 is mediated by the cellular receptor‐associated protein. Our data showed that Brain‐expressed X‐linked 3 (BEX3), a CD271 receptor‐associated protein, was overexpressed in NPC. BEX3 overexpression was a unique event in cancer developed in the head and neck regions, especially NPC. BEX3 expression was inducible by cisplatin in NPC. In cisplatin‐resistant NPC xenograft, treatment with nontoxic level of cisplatin led to a remarkable increase in BEX3 level. High BEX3 expression was accompanied with high octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) expression in cisplatin‐resistant NPC. To confirm the inducing role of BEX3 on OCT4 expression, we knockdown BEX3 using siRNA and compared the expression of OCT4 with mock transfectants. Suppressing BEX3 transcripts led to a significant reduction in OCT4. In addition, targeting BEX3 using shRNA could increase the sensitivity of NPC cells to cisplatin. In summary, our results indicated a unique functional role of BEX3 in mediating the sensitivity of NPC cells to cisplatin. Targeting or blocking BEX3 activity might be useful in reversing the cisplatin‐resistant phenotype in NPC.