Rho-kinase inhibition by Fasudil promotes tumor maturation and apoptosis in small-cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a poorly differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasm with inadequate therapeutic options. Fasudil is a Rho-associated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ROCK1/2) inhibitor whose clinical indications remain limited in cardiocerebrovascular diseases. This study aimed to report a possible implication of Fasudil for SCLC. The expression and prognostic value of ROCK1/2 were investigated immunohistochemically in surgical specimens. The positive rates of ROCK1 (77/113, 68.1%) and ROCK2 (94/113, 83.2%) were distinctly higher in SCLC than in other lung neuroendocrine tumors. The high expression level of ROCK1 was related to the poor long-term survival of patients, especially in the classic SCLC subtype. In vitro, SCLC cell line treated with Fasudil exhibited synapse-like mor

SUBMITTER: Huo Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7476155 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature