Music helped tame aggression in laryngeal cancer cells

What happens when the symptom of a disease is also the very thing that makes the disease worse?

The disease becomes self-perpetuating.

In other words, the worse it gets …. the worse it gets.

Such is the case with one of the most common cancers of the head and neck.

What if there were a way to reverse those symptoms? Would it weaken the cancer?

That’s the question researchers tried to answer, with astounding results.

Inhibiting a protein that makes cancer cells aggressive

Laryngeal cancer is one of the most common malignancies of the head and neck region.

Tumors typically appear on the vocal cords, causing hoarseness as the cords stiffen.

Science has already shown that increased tissue stiffness promotes cancer malignancy in other areas of the body that, unlike the vocal cords, are non-mobile, such as the breast, liver and pancreas.

“We wondered whether ‘movement could be medicine’ and whether tissue stiffening and immobilization contribute to cancer development,” says Professor Johanna Ivaska, director of Finland’s Barrier Force Centre of Excellence

The Center is part of the Academy of Finland, where body mechanics and disease are the focus of research.

In their study, Prof. Ivaska and colleagues grew cancer cells on a vibrating membrane placed atop a loudspeaker, exposing them to music from a mobile phone.

Sure enough, exposing the cancer cells to vibrations that mimicked vocal cord movements reduced their malignancy.

Specifically, it reduced the activity of a protein called YAP.

Using samples of both early-stage and advanced laryngeal cancer collected from 200 Finnish patients, the researchers had already determined that elevated YAP activity promoted tissue stiffness.

In other words, they now have evidence that helping the vocal cords to vibrate would weaken cancer cells.

As a result, they are now developing a drug that inhibits YAP protein activity.

Reduce your risks for laryngeal cancer

It’s important to know the symptoms of laryngeal cancer:

Sore throat or cough that doesn’t improve
Voice changes, such as hoarseness, that don’t improve after two weeks
Pain or other difficulties when you swallow
Lump in your neck or throat
Trouble making voice sounds (dysphonia)
Ear pain

While we obviously don’t have total control over whether cancer finds us, there are quite a few ways you can reduce your risk for this particular cancer.

Avoid tobacco: Smoking is the leading cause of laryngeal cancer, bringing carcinogens directly into contact with the voice box; quitting can reduce risk by 50% within 5–9 years.
Limit alcohol: Heavy, regular alcohol use significantly increases risk and, combined with smoking, creates a compounded risk.
HPV vaccination: HPV-16 and HPV-18 infections are linked to throat cancers; vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 9–26.
Occupational safety: Use protective gear and ensure proper ventilation when working with chemicals, asbestos or wood dust.
Manage acid reflux: Chronic, untreated acid reflux can irritate the larynx, making it a potential factor. It can lead to GERD, and potentially Barrett’s esophagus, linked to esophageal cancer.
Eat a healthy Diet: A diet high in fruits and vegetables may offer protection.