Twist1 is extensively studied for its role in head- and neck cancers. Here and in epithelial ovarian cancer, Twist1 has been shown to be involved in evading apoptosis, making the tumour cells resistant against platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs like cisplatin. Moreover, Twist1 has been shown to be expressed under conditions of hypoxia, corresponding to the observation that hypoxic cells respond less to chemotherapeutic drugs.
Twist1 plays a significant role in cancer development, particularly in head and neck cancers and epithelial ovarian cancers. It's been found to help tumor cells avoid programmed cell death (apoptosis), making them resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin. Additionally, Twist1 expression is linked to hypoxic conditions, which are often associated with reduced drug sensitivity in cancer cells.