NK1R as a therapeutic target in hepatoblastoma

Introduction: The neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) has recently been described as being pivotal in the development of cancer. NK1R antagonists, such as the clinical drug aprepitant, are therefore under current investigation as future innovative anticancer agents. Methods: Three human hepatoblastoma cell lines were used to assess proliferation by MTT assay, apoptosis by Western blot, and differential protein expression by Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA). Finally, mRNA from 47 children with HB were analysed by real-time PCR regarding both full length and truncated NK1R. Results: Following NK1R blockage by aprepitan…