ROCK1 and ROCK2 siRNAs Decrease Proliferation and Increase Apoptosis in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Vakili Saatloo, Maedeh; Yari Khosroushahi, Ahmad; Mohamadzadeh Gharebaghi, Yasmin; Kouhsoltani, Maryam

doi:10.30476/mejc.2026.106939.2278

ROCK1 and ROCK2 siRNAs Decrease Proliferation and Increase Apoptosis in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

Maedeh Vakili Saatloo ¹

Ahmad Yari Khosroushahi ²^{, 3}

Yasmin Mohamadzadeh Gharebaghi ⁴

Maryam Kouhsoltani ⁴

¹ Department of Periodontology, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, MA, USA

² Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

³ Department of Medical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

⁴ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/mejc.2026.106939.2278

Abstract

Background: ROCK genes play an essential role in cancer development. The aim of the present study was to investigate a novel gene therapy approach by ROCK1 and ROCK2 genes silencing for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treatment.
Method: In this in vitro study, two cell lines including HN5 for HNSCC and a normal cell line were treated with ROCK1 and ROCK2 siRNAs together or alone with or without cisplatin. MTS, the real time polymesrae chain reaction, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry tests were carried out.
Results: The highest level of apoptosis (88%) was seen in HN5 cells treated with ROCK2 siRNA, while this treatment revealed 1.08% apoptosis in normal cells. Cell viability decreased significantly to 0.31 after ROCK2 siRNA with cisplatin treatment and to 0.33 after ROCK1 / ROCK2 siRNA with cisplatin treatment in HN5. ROCK1 / ROCK2 genes silencing (especially ROCK2) increased apoptosis and decrease proliferation in HNSCC. The combination of ROCK2 siRNA and cisplatin demonstrated the greatest effect on apoptosis of cancerous cells. However, adding cisplatin to ROCK2 siRNA did not significantly increase apoptosis.
Conclusion: Based on our in vitro data and due to the issue of cost and benefit, ROCK2 siRNA alone represents a potent and selective agent for the induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation in HNSCC. Our findings suggest that ROCK1 / ROCK2 genes silencing (especially ROCK2) warrants further investigation as potential treatment strategy for HNSCC. Further studies are essential to support the translational potential of ROCK-targeted siRNA therapy.

Highlights

Maedeh Vakili Saatloo (google scholar)

Maryam Kouhsoltani (google scholar)

Keywords

Apoptosis

Gene silencing

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Proliferation

ROCK

Subjects

Cancer Treatment

Please cite this article as:

Vakili Saatloo M, Yari Khosroushahi A, Mohamadzadeh Gharebaghi Y, Kouhsoltani M. ROCK1 and ROCK2 siRNAs decrease proliferation and increase apoptosis in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Middle East J Cancer. 2026;17(4):343-53. doi: 10.30476 /mejc.2026.106939.2278.

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