High tumor expression of the cytokine interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype and poor clinical outcomes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the mechanism behind IL-1α-induced tumor aggressiveness is unclear. The goal of this work is to investigate the biological consequences of increased IL-1α in HNSCC cells. Three IL1A constructs (Full-length, N-terminal, and C-terminal [CT]) were transduced into Cal27 HNSCC cells and validated for IL-1α expression. Differences in cell survival, metabolic profiling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), oxidative stress parameters and response to therapy were compared among the parental and IL-1α overexpressing cell lines. Overexpression of CT IL-1α (but not the other constructs) led to increased cell proliferation, membrane fluidity, hydroperoxide production, intracellular iron and lipid peroxidation, EMT changes, and a shift toward glutamate utilization compared to control cell lines. Finally, CT IL-1α cells (but not the other constructs) were highly sensitive to the ferroptosis inducer RSL3. Together this work suggests that increased tumor IL-1α expression triggers a shift toward an oxidative and ferroptotic environment, leading to an aggressive tumor phenotype and drug resistance; but also reveals a unique vulnerability to agents that induce ferroptosis.

Heterotopic hair in the oral cavity is a rare condition, with possible etiologies including prior skin graft reconstruction, oral and maxillofacial trauma, or, in some clinical context, no identifiable cause. We report a case of a patient with trichotillomania who presented with a persistent sinus track opening between teeth #9 and #10 and a well-defined periradicular lesion in the area. Microscopically, it revealed a partially lined cyst-like entity containing terminal hairs, associated with a foreign body-type giant cell reaction. The patient admitted to a habit of repeatedly pulling and plucking her hair, placing it in her mouth, and occasionally pressing it against the area of concern. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of an intraosseous hair-induced cyst-like entity with foreign body reaction in the anterior maxilla associated with trichotillomania.