Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 functions as an oncogene in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) is a member of the Zfh1 family of two-handed zinc finger/homeodomain proteins. To date, the role of ZEB2 in human laryngeal carcinoma has not been clearly defined. In the present study, the level of ZEB2 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues and adjacent normal tissues was evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effects of ZEB2 on the growth, migration, invasion, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells were also explored using MTT, Transwell and flow cytometry assays. It was identified that ZEB2 was upregulated in LSCC tissues compared with normal tissues. Silencing of ZEB2 inhibited the viability, migration and invasion of LSCC cells. It was also observed that ZEB2 silencing induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in LSCC cells. Furthermore, ZEB2 silencing inhibited the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Overall, the results indicated that ZEB2 promotes the progression of LSCC and that it may be a potential target for the treatment of this type of cancer.