Elevated EGFL6 modulates cell metastasis and growth via AKT pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Epidermal growth factor‐like domain multiple 6 ( EGFL 6) is a secreted protein, regulates maintenance and metastasis of cancer cells. Nevertheless, how EGFL 6 participates in the progression and tumorigenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC ) remains unclear. In our study, EGFL 6 was detected highly expressed in 20 NPC tissues compared with normal tissues by IHC assay. Then, the level of EGFL 6 in NPC serum and NPC cells was explored through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and western blot, the results consistent with IHC . More interestingly, EGFL 6 accelerated the migration and growth of NPC in vitro assays. Considering the mechanism of migration, NPC cells were cultured with AKT activator, revealing EGFL 6 facilitated the progression of NPC via AKT . Moreover, the same effect of EGFL 6 in promoting NPC growth was proved in nude mice. Furthermore, heat‐shock zebrafish model was established with EGFL 6 overexpression. Then, CNE 2 cells were injected into the model and cells mass was observed, showing that EGFL 6 enhanced the migration and metastasis of NPC . Currently, as the prognosis of NPC is severely affected by distant metastasis, it might be a new therapeutic target toward EGFL 6. Taken together, our results suggested that EGFL 6 acts as a potential positive regulator in the migration and proliferation of NPC .