NF-kappaB modulation and ionizing radiation: mechanisms and future directions for cancer treatment.
NF-kappaB transcription factor regulates important cellular processes ranging from establishment of the immune and inflammatory responses to regulation of cell proliferation or apoptosis, through the induction of a large array of target genes. NF-kappaB is now considered as an important actor in the tumorigenic process mainly because it exerts strong anti-apoptotic functions in cancer cells. NF-kappaB is triggered by chimio- and radio-therapeutic strategies that are intended to eliminate cancerous cells through induction of apoptosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that inhibition of NF-kappaB by different means increased sensitivity of cancer cells to the apoptotic action of diverses effectors such as TNFalpha or chemo- or radio-therapies. From these studies as emerged the concept that NF-kappaB blockade could be associated to conventional therapies in order to increase their efficiency. This review focuses on the current knowledge on NF-kappaB regulation and discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting NF-kappaB in cancer in particular during radiotherapy.
Magné
Nicolas
N
Département de Radiothérapie, Institut Jules Bordet, 121 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique. nicolas_magne@hotmail.com
Toillon
Robert-Alain
RA
Bottero
Virginie
V
Didelot
Céline
C
Houtte
Paul Van
PV
Gérard
Jean-Pierre
JP
Peyron
Jean-François
JF
D017209:Apoptosis; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing
D016328:NF-kappa B