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 is a key player in the development of head and neck cancers and epithelial ovarian cancers, contributing to tumor cell resistance against platinum-based chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin. Its expression is also linked to hypoxic conditions, which can hinder the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatments.