Rock inhibitors and uses thereof

The subject invention concerns compositions and methods for blocking cancer cell growth or proliferation and/or inducing cancer cell death. Compositions of the present invention are compounds that inhibit Rho-protein associated kinase function. Compounds of the invention include piperazinyl pyridines, piperazinylmethyl pyridines, piperazinyl ureas and carbamates, piperazinyl pyridines and quinoilines (including isoquinliones) as well as piperazinyl (including piperazinylmethyl) pyridines and quinolines (including isoquinolines). Compounds of the invention disrupt Rho-kinase activation and function and significantly inhibit tumor cell growth and induce tumor cell death