Rho-associated kinase1 promotes laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis and progression via the FAK signaling pathway

Liyun Yang; Peipei Qiao; Jianwei Zhang; Shuixian Huang; An Hu

doi:10.1007/s12672-022-00561-7

Rho-associated kinase1 promotes laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis and progression via the FAK signaling pathway

Discov Oncol. 2022 Oct 5;13(1):100. doi: 10.1007/s12672-022-00561-7.

Authors

Liyun Yang¹, Peipei Qiao¹, Jianwei Zhang¹, Shuixian Huang², An Hu³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China.
² Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China. enthsx@163.com.
³ Department of Otolaryngology, Gongli Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200135, China. juanitohuan@163.com.

Abstract

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Rho-associated kinase1 (ROCK1) is considered to promote progression of numerous cancers, however, its role in LSCC is still unknown. Here, the expression level of ROCK1 is higher in LSCC tissues than non-tumor tissues, and the expression level of ROCK1 is positively correlated with advanced stage and poor survival prognosis. ROCK1 knockdown in TU686 and TU212 cells dramatically inhibits cellular proliferation, migration and invasion. Whereas the overexpression of ROCK1 reversed these changes. FAK signaling pathway plays an essential role in promoting LSCC progression. Inhibiting FAK activity with TAE226 observably impairs the tumor-promoting effects. In conclusion, ROCK1 promotes LSCC tumorigenesis and progression via the FAK signaling pathway, targeting the ROCK1 molecule may represent potential targets for clinical LSCC treatment.

Keywords: FAK; LSCC; ROCK1; Tumorigenesis and progression.