IL-1α Promotes Cancer Cell Migration and Is a Potential Prognostic Marker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Objectives: Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) has been linked to tumor progression in various cancer types; however, its role in oral cancer pathogenesis remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of IL-1α expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with a specific focus on its role in modulating cancer cell phenotype. Methods: Primary OSCC tissue specimens were collected from 104 patients and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis to assess IL-1α expression. OSCC cell lines were cultured for functional assays, and their protein and mRNA expressions were verified using western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The effects of IL-1α expression on OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression were subsequently examined. Results: IL-1α expression varied among OSCC tissues and cell lines both in vivo and in vitro. Notably, siRNA-mediated suppression of IL-1α in HSC3 cells impaired migration while leaving proliferation unaffected, highlighting its functional role in promoting cancer cell motility. Conclusions: Our in vivo and in vitro findings revealed varied IL-1α expression in OSCC and its association with a motile phenotype, suggesting that case-specific IL-1α assessment could hold prognostic value in oral cancer.