VRK1 Is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Cervix.

ABSTRACT: Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNEC) is classified as a high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma with a worse prognosis than other major histological types of cervical cancer. Identifying novel therapeutic targets based on its molecular characteristics is highly desirable but challenging due to the rarity of SCNEC and the resulting lack of research resources. In this study, we identified vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) as a potential therapeutic target for SCNEC. VRK1 was prioritized based on our previously reported proteomic analysis of patient-derived organoids. Immunohistochemistry of patient samples consistently revealed high VRK1 expression in SCNEC, as opposed to its variable expression in other cervical carcinomas. Although VRK1 knockdown in SCNEC had only a limited

SUBMITTER: Kobayashi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12775588 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature