Figure 3.

NK1R blockage by aprepitant had a suppressed growth on ESCC cell spheres through a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway. (a, b) The percentages of annexin-V and annexin-V/PI double-positive inhibitor-treated cells were increased in response to drug treatment after 24 hours, as compared with the untreated group. (b) Also, ESCC cell spheres were subjected to the caspase assay to examine the contribution of caspases-8/-9 to aprepitant-induced apoptosis. Aprepitant exerted a substantial increase in caspase-8/-9 activity, which suggested that the apoptotic effect of aprepitant on the ESCC cell spheres was caspase-dependent. (^∗) indicates a statistically significant difference compared to controls, while the (^#) sign indicates a statistically significant change compared to other treatment groups.