Blocking the Na+/H+ exchanger 1 with cariporide (HOE642) reduces the hypoxia-induced invasion of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma

The Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) plays a significant role in acidifying the tumour microenvironment, potentially contributing to the tumour's malignant potential. The mechanism by which NHE1 mediates cell invasion and migration, especially in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (hTSCC), is unknown. In this study, the authors demonstrated that inhibition of NHE1 by cariporide (HOE642) suppressed the invasion and migration of Tca8113 cells under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia also promoted the production of MMP-9, and the suppressive role of cariporide was enacted through the downregulation of MMP-9. The data demonstrated that NHE1 plays a role in hTSCC invasion and that NHE1 might be a new target for hTSCC treatment.