Abstract: Objective · To investigate the effect of aurora kinase A (AURKA) activity on pro-angiogenesis, migration and invasion of Hep2 cells. Methods · Down-regulation of AURKA phospholation in Hep2 cells with 100 nmol/L VX680. Western blotting was used to detect the of p-AURKA, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptor VEGFR2 in blank control Hep2 cells and Hep2 cells treated with VX680 for 24 h and 48 h. Angiogenesis experiment was applied to observe the effect of Hep2 cells treated with VX680 on angiogenesis. CCK8 cell proliferation assay, Transwell migration and invasion experiment were used to observe the ability of cell proliferation, migration and invasion of Hep2 cells. Results · Compared with control cells, the of p-AURKA in Hep2 cells treated with VX680 for 48 h was decreased (P0.000). After down-regulation of p-AURKA, the s of VEGFA and VEGFR2 were decreased (P0.000). Meanwhile, angiogenesis was inhibited (P0.000), and migration and invasion of Hep2 cells were reduced (P0.000). Conclusion · AURKA regulates pro-angiogenesis, migration and invasion of Hep2 cells, which is a new strategy for the treatment of laryngeal cancertargeting AURKA.

Key words: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, aurora kinase A (AURKA), angiogenesis, migration, invasion