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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Electrocorticographic Recording of Cerebral Cortex Areas Manipulated Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Targeting Cofilin in Mice
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Targeting ROCK/LIMK/cofilin signaling pathway in cancer

Mee-Hyun Lee1,2, Joydeb Kumar Kundu3, Jung-Il Chae4

  • 1Basic Medical College, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, Henan, China.

Archives of Pharmacal Research
|April 29, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK)/LIMK/cofilin pathway drives cancer progression. Inhibiting these signaling proteins may offer new cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • The Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK)/Lin11, Isl-1 and Mec-3 kinase (LIMK)/cofilin signaling pathway is activated by various cellular stimuli.
  • This pathway influences actin dynamics, crucial for cell motility and cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the ROCK/LIMK/cofilin signaling pathway in various cancers.
  • To explore the potential of targeting this pathway for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on ROCK/LIMK/cofilin signaling in cancer.
  • Analysis of the association between protein expression/activity and patient outcomes.
  • Examination of preclinical data on the effects of inhibiting ROCK, LIMK, or cofilin.

Main Results:

  • High expression or activity of ROCK, LIMK, or cofilin correlates with poor survival and metastasis in breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
  • Silencing these proteins inhibits cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Netarsudil, a ROCK inhibitor, is approved for glaucoma but not cancer.

Conclusions:

  • The ROCK/LIMK/cofilin pathway is a significant driver of cancer.
  • Inhibitors of this pathway represent promising candidates for novel cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
Cancer therapyCofilinInhibitorsLIMKROCKSignaling pathways

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