Neuromedin B (NMB) acts as a growth factor or a morphogen and plays a role in cancer progression. Indeed, the NMB receptor (NMB-R) is overexpressed in different types of tumors. In our current study, we investigated the involvement of NMB-R in the proliferation of oral cancer cells. Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and human oral cancer cells, SCC-25 cells were found to be NMB-R-positive. The NMB-R antagonist PD168368 inhibited the proliferation of SCC-25 cells and reduced their colony formation capacity. We also found that PD168368 induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of SCC-25 cells in a dose-/time-dependent manner. Overall, this antitumor activity of PD168368 in human oral cancer cells suggests that NMB-R is a potential target for the future prevention and treatment of human cancers.

• Hyun-Joo Park(Department of Oral Physiology, Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry)
• Jae-Hoon Jeon(Department of Oral Physiology)
• Mi-Kyoung Kim(Department of Oral Physiology)
• Mi Heon Ryu(Department of Oral Pathology)
• Yong-Deok Kim(Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University)
• Soo-Kyung Bae(Department of Dental Pharmacology, School of Dentistry)
• Moon-Kyoung Bae(Department of Oral Physiology) correspondence